Summary 2011 FA Trophy Final

darlington , mansfield teams lining before game

the final played on 7 may 2011 @ london s wembley stadium. darlington defeated mansfield town 1–0 after time, goal striker chris senior. first time darlington had scored @ wembley in 3 visits national stadium.

the game particularly affair both sides carving out chances. darlington goalkeeper sam russell had alert on clear adam murray pass had sent duncan russell clean through on goal. @ other end, alan marriott did punch away corner aaron brown before liam hatch head on it. in 18th minute, mansfield corner met head of former darlington captain steve foster, ball sailed on bar. on 32 minutes, gary smith broke mansfield, appeared brought down louis briscoe. referee stuart attwell, placed, waved away penalty appeals. darlington suffered blow on 38 minutes when smith, had been lively in midfield, limped off replaced aman verma. first half of match concluded score @ 0–0.

despite darlington dominating opening exchanges of second half, mansfield created excellent chance when briscoe took on 2 players right , cross-shot deflected on bar team-mate paul connor.

darlington players celebrate victory after trophy presentation

after 58 minutes darlington had excellent chance take lead. john campbell broke clear down left hand side of pitch , crossed low tommy wright; striker took long, however, , mansfield able clear corner. both sides traded attacks, none of came much, before darlington awarded 89th minute free-kick 25 yards out, following unfair challenge on verma. marc bridge-wilkinson took free-kick, clattered against marriott s right hand post, mansfield keeper beaten.

in dying seconds of normal time, bridge-wilkinson crossed box wright headed wide diving attempt. when whistle blew end of normal time, match remained @ 0–0.

both teams created chances, during time period marked both teams increasing fatigue. during extra-time, darlington replaced bridge-wilkinson paul terry, while mansfield brought on danny mitchley murray. during fraught final period of time mansfield threatened when ashley cain s cross reached far post connor headed narrowly on bar. then, 8 minutes time, chris moore forced darlington corner. brown took , wright headed against post, before ian miller forced fine save marriott.

as penalty shoot-out loomed on match, darlington created 1 last chance. in 119th minute, aaron brown long throw flicked on miller , found wright, got ball ahead of marriott send looping header towards mansfield goal. ball hit bar before falling chris senior headed roof of net send darlington fans raptures , secure fa trophy final victory darlington.