Match 24
8th December 1987
Darlington (a)

DARLINGTON 4
Hine, Currie 2, A.Roberts.
EXETER CITY 1
Milton 

Played at Feethams, Darlington. Tuesday December 8th 1987. Attendance 1,107.

Darlington:- J.Roberts; Outerside, Morgan; Hine, Robinson, Bonnyman; A.Roberts, Ward, MacDonald, Currie, Stonehouse.

Exeter City:-Shaw; Massey, Viney; Carter, Taylor, Collins; Batty, Edwards, O'Connell, Milton, Harrower. Milton.


Exeter slide to defeat 

Exeter were well beaten by a Darlington side who produced their best performance of the season on an icy pitch That looked certain to make good football impossible. While the visitors were still trying to find their feet, Darlington were a goal ahead. Striker Garry MacDonald broke down the right, slipped a good ball inside to Mark Hine and the little midfield man fired in from the edge of the box. It was the worst possible start for Exeter and their their problems increased when Darlington's man of the season, David Currie, got in on the action. His close skills and strong running caused all kinds of problems for Shaun Taylor and Roy Carter the latter eventually being booked for a crunching foul on the former Middlesbrough striker. Exeter's only real chance in the opening stages fell to Simon Mitton, but his close-range shot was saved by 'keeper Jeremy Roberts. After 36 minutes Darlington scored again when Currie seized on a loose ball in the box, dummied 'keeper John Shaw, and tapped the ball home. Four minutes later, Exeter's nightmare continued this time with a spectacular - effort from Currie. The Exéter defence must have been sure he was no danger when a clearance ran to him, 25 yards out. But without looking up he unleashed a fierce drive which gave Shaw no chance at all. The second-half got off to a much slower start and Exeter began to look more confident. Mitton went close with a header and Eamon Collins, city's man-of-the-match, produced a series of openings which were all squandered by his front men. But then they were hit by another marvellous goal. Currie sprinted down the left-wing and his accurate cross found winger Alan Roberts, who crashed the ball into the roof of the net from five yards out. Exeter boss Colin Appleton made a double substitution, bringing on Richard Cooper and Jamie Harris, for Richard Massey and Brendon O'Connell, and the move quickly produced results. Harris put pressure on Darlington defender Peter Robinson and as he miscued a clearance Mitton made the most of the mistake and slipped the ball past Roberts. It was only a consolation for Exeter and they were unable to cause any further problems for the home defence.

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