By Nathan Jackson
April 26 2004

The Imps chances of gaining automatic promotion look all but over now as the 11th home draw of the season against an impressive Darlington team. The only plus part of this whole situation is now the Imps only need 2 draws from the last 2 games to guarantee a playoff place. City began attacking the Mundy Stand end so not many City fans expected the Imps to score in the first half as we haven't scored in that end since the game against Scunthorpe.

The first half was all Darlington but they failed to take some good chances, the main culprit being Barry Conlon who missed from 6 yards out. Gary Fletcher almost made them pay when a Mark Bailey free kick looking to be rolling to the keeper but Fletch snuck in but his shot went just wide of the goal.

That was City's only chance of a poor first half display which is now becoming apparant and for the 5th home game in a row, the Imps conceeded first when confusion in the box lead to the ball being in the back of the net but no-one really knowing home and the goal was credited to Neil Wainright.

The second half was more positive for City as Fletch almost equalised but he left foot volley sailed way over the bar.

On the 54th minute, Sandwith (who was having a good game) chipped the ball in the box but the keeper caught it but then dropped it as he hit the ground and Francis Green tapped in from less than a yard out to give the Imps at least a point.

City rarely threatened again until the 70th minute when Simon Yeo came on and almost scored with his very first touch but the keeper provided an excellent save to keep the score at 1-1.

City wasted numerous other chances and to be honest, never looked like winning. Our home form has been our downfall this season. Despite only losing 2 games at Sincil Bank out of the 22 so far, 11 draws is atrocious and we will need to do better if we do get into division 2 next season.

To show how our home form could have helped our cause if it had been better comes in that we have the exact same away record as Doncaster of 10 wins, 6 draws and 6 defeats but Donny have won 16 and drawn 4 of their home games compared to the Imps record of 9 wins and 11 draws.