Darlo bruised by Macclesfield
3rd February 2007
Macclesfield 1 Darlington 1
A last-gasp goal from Macclesfield Town midfielder Navarro rescued a point for the relegation-haunted side but it was just reward for sustained pressure in the second half when they might have stolen all the points. Almost the last kick of the game was a powerful John Miles drive which flashed inches past the post and could have been a last nail in Darlos coffin.
After losing their last two games Paul Ince's team were desperate to get some points under their belt and were indebted to Navarro who neatly controlled a Kevin McIntyre long throw before drilling home a low left-foot shot in the 86th minute giving them at least a share of the spoils.
Macclesfield had started the game in a better frame of mind than the Quakers with striker McNeil fluffing a chip in the fifth minute allowing Lee Jones to make an easy save. Navarro then raced through in the 15th minute but was denied a shot on goal from close range by a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Ricky Ravenhill who had the last laugh shortly afterwards when he ghosted into the box to slot home a 10 yard shot to convert a pinpoint cross from debut striker Gregg Blundell. Darlo were one up and on their way to another victory in their recent return to form. Macclesfield went into their shells and Darlington might have added another when Clark Keltie thundered a drive that was well-saved by Tommy Lee.
However, after the break Macclesfield looked a new team, maybe a few harsh words by the boss stoked them up, and they came out fighting. In the 50th minute a breathtaking double save from new keeper Jones kept the Quakers in the game. First he blocked a Danny Swailes volley before clawing wide a pinpoint Matthew Tipton header.
Then Navarro scored that goal hat the home team deserved. A draw was a fair result, but Darlo might have had all three points. Points that might be needed at the end of the campaign for a play off place!
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