Goals from Andrew Robinson and a strike by former Darlington loan player Tresor Kandol helped propel Leeds United into the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. After a decent opening ten minute period in which Quakers had some good possession the hosts eventually got their teeth into the tie to create what should have been a commanding half-time lead. Mark Convery's goal on the stroke of half time cast doubt over Leeds' progress but the League One high-flyers retained enough of their composure after the break to make it through. Darlington however can take heart from a good second half showing.
Caretaker manager Craig Liddle, in his last game in charge before Steve Staunton takes over on Wednesday, named Nick Liversedge in goal for Darlington. Paul Arnison also returned to the starting eleven after injury whilst youngster Corey Barnes also got a start. Fellow youngster Dan Groves, after an excellent game at the weekend, held onto his place as well.
Mike Grella's header over the bar after three minutes from Robinson's cross set the tone for the first half as Leeds enjoyed the better of proceedings. Darlington worked hard throughout but Leeds had purpose coming forward and threatened on several occasions in the first period. Jamie Devitt whistled a shot just wide on ten minutes but it was only a brief break as Leeds crafted some good openings.
Following Devitt's shot Leeds went straight down the opposite end to win a corner kick. Kandol's header was eventually pushed over the crossbar by Liversegde as the home side applied pressure. Three minutes later and Grella slipped a ball through to Kandol as Leeds broke on the visitors. Liversedge managed to get down to make a comfortable save from an under pressure Kandol. The Leeds forward had another chance soon afterwards as he met Aidan White's cross from the left with a good header. It was met with an equally good save from Liversedge.
On eighteen minutes Robinson snatched a shot wide from a David Prutton cross. Leeds and Robinson didn't have to wait much longer for the opening goal however. On twenty-three minutes his free-kick was deflected beyond Liversedge and into the back of the net. Four minutes after the advantage was doubled. Kandol got onto the end of an excellent through-ball from the centre of the park to power a shot home. Darlington's response was to change shape and bring on Convery for Matty Plummer.
The change stemmed the Leeds flow for a time and helped Quakers regain their footing. On thirty-four minutes Gary Smith's cross from the right for the visitors fell behind the advancing Darlington forward line but was picked up by Devitt on the far side. He had time to control but instead tried to curl the ball quickly in past the far post but failed to hit the target. With thoughts already turning to half time Convery managed to halve the deficit with a close range finish.
Leeds had clearly switched off after going 2-0 up but Quakers were much improved after the break. Whilst Leeds continued to carve out openings in the second half period they never really dominated like they did in the first half. Robinson's deflected shot and another which flew narrowly wide from a corner could have seen the hosts wrap things up. With just over ten minutes left substitute Enoch Showunmi was denied by a good stop by Liversedge after a neat ball on the edge of the area gave him an angle to shoot. A few minutes earlier Kevin Gall fired a shot wide from distance to remind the hosts they were still there.
Deep into injury time Quakers were reduced to ten men when Liversedge collided with Showunmi as he chased a ball over the top. With just moments left to play the rookie keeper received his marching orders however, and crucially, defender Ian Miller appeared to have got back to mean the keeper wasn't the last man. Jeff Smith went in goal but had nothing to do from the resulting free-kick as the game ended seconds later. The decision was even worse as at the other end a blatant handball was missed.
The first half goals however were enough to send Leeds through in the end. Despite Darlington's second half improvement they still couldn't find the cutting edge needed to grab a leveller. A watching Steve Staunton though would have been encouraged by what he saw. The lack of fire-power will obviously be need to be addressed but Quakers can emerge from this game with some credit after a good showing in the second half against the League One leaders.
