Match report: JPT Darlington 1 - 0 Town

Oct 8 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Joe Skarz, on as a 63rd-minute replacement for Tom Clarke and playing in midfield (Holdsworth went to right-back) added an extra dimension down the left as Town pushed for an equaliser.

But as Skarz latched onto a poor White clearance and played in Parker in the 67th minute, the former Blackpool man’s curled shot went just the wrong side of the far post.

Then Skarz had a header saved as Cadamarteri crossed.

Darlington still had their moments though, and it took an excellent challenge by Lucketti to foil Burgmeier as he chased ex-Sheffield Wednesday striker Adam Proudlock’s precise pass in the 59th minute.

Then Burgmeier headed wide from Poole’s cross before Smithies pulled off a great close-range save to deny home skipper Steve Foster as he met yet another Burgmeier free-kick with a rising shot in the 78th minute.

Two minutes later, Holdsworth was the saviour, coming across to cut-out Greg Blundell’s cross as Liam Hatch hovered.

The damage had already been done, however, with any chance of a lucrative Wembley final trip out of the window.