Darlington 1 Chester 1: Scott rescues a point at the death for Darlington

Darlington have still not won a home match this season, but Josh Scott’s goal deep into added time at least rescued a deserved draw against Chester.Having conceded costly late goals against Hereford and Telford recently at Blackwell Meadows, it was Quakers’ turn to put on a late show.Yet, Darlington remain without a home win in five fixture at home, and are now 15th after nine league games.Nonetheless, Scott’s goal was a richly deserved equaliser at the end of a decent battle between two sides mired in midtable, each team having had chances to score on a day of relentless rain at Blackwell Meadows.Quakers had the first sight of goal from a Charle Lennon corner, his low delivery finding Scott Barrow whose first-time effort was blocked. The defender then fired wide as Chester failed to clear their penalty area.Darlington had an escape when Chester’s Dylan Mottley-Henry scuffed wide when sliding in at close-range to meet a low ball from the right.Midway through the first half, each team had shots from outside the penalty area; Mottley-Henry coming close, his effort flying narrowly wide, and at the other end Will Hatfield saw George Murray-Jones catch his shot.Murray-Jones had to be alert to save Jack Maskell’s diving header on the end of winger Lennon’s inviting cross to the far post.Lennon, on loan from Middlesbrough, made an eye-catching first league start for Quakers, and a penetrating run from him led to Will McGowan having a goal-bound shot charged down by Kevin Roberts.During a period of Chester possession in the second half, Pat Jones poked home from inside the penalty area following well-worked corner routine.It gave Chester a 1-0 lead with almost an hour gone, but almost immediately Darlington felt visiting defender Tom Leak should have been sent off after Cedric Main went to ground when in on goal.Lennon was the day’s stand-out player, and he showed sublime skill with a run that almost resulted in a memorable goal.The 19-year-old dribbled with the ball from deep within his own half, starting by dropping a shoulder and sending a Chester player for a pie, before leaving several opposition players trailing in his wake as he weaved his way up the pitch and into the penalty area, but the shot was tame and saved by Murray-Jones.Before the game was out, a deft touch by Lennon created a shooting opportunity and he stung Murray-Jones’ palms on as determined Darlington pressed for an equaliser.It finally came when Will Hatfield headed down Main’s cross for left-back Scott to blast home in the 93rd minute.