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The Shrimps ironically produced some of their best football for a few games but were denied on numerous occasions by the visitors' excellent keeper David Stockdale.

Unfortunately they were undone by their own attacking intent as they were caught out on three occasions by swift counter attacks from Darlington who scored all their goals from Morecambe corners!

It was in many ways bizarre but few can take anything away from Darlington for their speed of both movement and thought as they went for the jugular when Morecambe were least expecting it.

Their opening goal, on 27 minutes, epitomised Darlington's strength.
As a Morecambe corner was cleared there were suddenly five Darlington players swarming forward against two Morecambe defenders and it was not a case of if, but who, would score. Pawel Abbott's original shot was saved by Shwan Jalal but Neil Austin was one of four players in the box to get the final touch.

It was breathtaking stuff - and it was to be repeated another two times. Former Premiership striker Julian Joachim produced the coolest of finishes just after the hour after Greg Blundell raced away with the Morecambe defenders up for another corner. Then with 20 minutes to go Joachim returned the favour as Blundell was one of two Darlington players unmarked in the box to fire past the helpless Shwan Jalal.

But although the scoreline paints a picture of a convincing Darlington win - it was a false one as Morecambe dominated the game for long periods and gave Darlington plenty of problems.

Unfortunately for the Shrimps they came up against a keeper in super form as ex-York stopper Stockdale saved brilliantly from Craig Stanley and Michael Twiss. Stanley, who seems jinxed in front of goal this season, was then denied by the crossbar after a superb run into the box.

The second half began with Stockdale reacting well to a Twiss header but Morecambe were also unfortunate to see a host of balls fizz along the Darlington six yard box begging for some sort of touch.

Stockdale even denied Twiss a last minute consolation goal with another fine save from close range.

Morecambe: Jalal 6, Yates 6, Bentley 6, Adams 6, Grand 7, Baker 7, Drummond 6 (rep Hunter 75), Stanley 7, Blinkhorn 7, Twiss 7, Thompson 7 (rep Curtis 83). Subs not used: Davies, Howard, Newby.
Booked; Grand 73 (foul),

Darlington: Stockdale 9, Austin 7, Foster 7, Miller 7, Mayo 7, Joachim 7, Cummins 6 (rep Purdie 79), Ravenhill 6, Foran 6, Wright 6 (rep Keltie 84), Abbott 6 (rep Blundell 62).
Subs Not Used: Wiseman, Liversedge.

Booked: Wright 59 (foul), Cummins 64 (foul)

Ref: D Drysdale 4/10.

Attendance: 2,773

Star man: Simon Grand had another excellent game

ON M 6 D 5
OFF M 4 D 4
FOULS M 12 D 10
CORNERS M 8 D 10
OFFSIDES M 5 D 6

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