Story by Kevin Luff - 18th January 2006

Hodgy happy with a point against Grimsby

Darlington played out a goalless draw against Grimsby Town and Quakers boss David Hodgson was satisfied with the point. Whilst the game was far from spectacular Darlington coped well with Grimsby's game plan of hitting corners and winning set pieces. Quakers had to scrap at times in the second half and whilst the players were left disappointed with a point it keeps the club in the hunt for a play-off place.

Quakers have had some good results over Grimsby Town of late. This one was however in truth one of the more evenly matched affairs. Speaking on Quakers World after the game David Hodgson admitted he half expected them to win it in the closing stages of the game. However had Darlington done this it would have been harsh on the visitors remarked the manager.

"We've got a bit of a hoodoo so I half expected us to get the win in the ninety second minute when there was no time for them to come back," joked Hodgson. "That would have been very harsh on Grimsby. I think it was a game where two sides stuck to their game. I don't think they can change their game plan. Their plan as we can see is very direct, set plays, corners, longs throws and I set out a team tonight that was going to outplay them, knowing that it could also scrap if called upon. When it turned into a scrap in the second half we dealt with it and that is the most pleasing thing about tonight's game."

"We've got a bit of a hoodoo so I half expected us to get the win in the ninety second minute"

Dave Hodgson on Quakers World

Hodgson felt the visitors shaded the chances slightly but was delighted with the way the defence held together despite the loss of Matt Clarke through injury. Kasper Schmeichel enjoyed a comfortable performance in between the sticks but was never really called to excel throughout the ninety minutes.

"I think if anything they had more chances because of the manner in which they plan the game," admitted Hodgson. "If you've got a team who can put the ball into the box from a corner or from a long throw, which they can, you are always going to be a little bit under the cosh. We dealt with it, even without Matt (Clarke) being there. I thought Kasper didn't have many great saves to make but what he did have to do he dealt with."

Whilst Hodgson was delighted with every member of his team the manager heaped praise on midfielder Clark Keltie who played well in the centre of the park. The midfielder has played exceptionally well since coming back from injury and shows no signs of letting up.

"It's very unfair for a manager to pick out somebody who you would claim to be man of the match because I thought everyone of them stuck to their task. The one thing I did see tonight out of Kelts was whenever the ball bounced down at the edge of the box, whether it be ours or theirs, the one who got there first was Keltie. He got himself in front of two or three and then following on and got his body on the next one. For that I'll just give him the nod over the likes of Jonjo (Dickman) and Stamp who were excellent."

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