ABYSMAL in the first half, some signs of encouragement in the second half that just about sums up Darlington's season.
It also summarises their latest defeat, which featured all the hallmarks of this pitiful campaign.
During the first half there was lax defending, which accounted for both goals, while the Cobblers' defence enjoyed an easy 45 minutes in front of a toothless attack.
However, just as Darlington have shown improvement since January, they were better in the second period, doing enough to merit at least a goal.
But in the bigger picture that would have meant little.
Saturday was just another stepping stone towards relegation as the result, coupled with Cheltenham's astonishing 6-5 win at Burton, as good as confirmed that Darlington will be in the Blue Square Premier next season.
Steve Staunton knows it he just has not publicly admitted it, which is accepted practice in football.
At times like these managers trot out nonsense such as it's not over until the fat lady sings'.
She is clearing her vocal chords in preparation, but there's really no need. She can save herself the trouble because the league table is sufficient.
With 13 games to go Staunton's men have only 16 points, yet are 18 from safety.
We're building for next year, we know what's in store, is as close as Staunton got on Saturday to admitting relegation is a formality.
We've been building since January, getting our own players and hopefully we can keep them for next year wherever we are.
I've told the players that we need to finish the season strongly. I've been satisfied with the performances of the last few games but I'm not accepting today.
We started to compete in the second half you can't win football matches without competing. In the first half we were a yard or two off the pace and that was proved by Northampton scoring two goals.
The first came on 20 minutes through Middlesbrough loanee John Johnson, who poked home after starting an attack that led to bulky frontman Adebayo Akinfenwa hitting the crossbar.
The loose ball fell to Johnson to score and the rightback also teed up the second shortly before the break.
At a corner, Quakers' keeper Shane Redmond punched weakly to Johnson, who squared the ball to Abdul Osman. He drove home from 12 yards.
Redmond felt he had been impeded by striker Billy McKay. He hadn't, but his ire was understandable given that goalkeepers often appear to be a protected species.
Staunton said: Some people are saying there was a foul before the second goal, but from our point of view the first goal was a shocker, to say the least. It is disappointing, especially when you see that it's experienced players that are responsible.
It was a ball into Akinfenwa on the edge of the box and one of our centre-halves wasn't where he was supposed to be. I'm thinking hang on, you can't leave a forward in the middle of the box'.
At the break Staunton ditched 4-3-3 in favour of 4-4-2 with pacey wingers Josh Gray and Chris Moore coming off the bench to good affect.
The pair raided down the flanks and fired over a handful of crosses as Darlington finally showed some fight.
Andrew Milne started at left-back in place of the injured Stuart Giddings and he saw a long-range drive spilled by keeper Jason Steele, also on loan from Boro, who gathered at the second attempt as Gray was about to pounce.
Northampton were content with their two-goal lead but Quakers continued to press with Gareth Waite firing a powerful effort from distance narrowly wide. Tadhg Purcell saw a header rebound off the base of the post and the Irishman finished the game with a headed effort saved easily following a Moore cross.
Moore became the 51st different player used, one of a host of records set this season, and another likely to be set is the club's worst points total.
Darlington need a further 21 to equal 37, their lowest tally since three points for a win was introduced in the early 1980s.
We've just got to battle on,
added Staunton. There were a lot of positives. There's just one or two niggling problems that we will eradicate this season ready for next season.
Which, unfortunately, will not be in League Two.
Match facts Goals:
1-0: Johnson (20, close-range strike after Akinfenwa's shot had rebounded off the crossbar)
2-0: Osman (39, drilled in from 12 yards after Quakers failed to clear a corner)
Bookings: None
Referee: Andy Penn (Walsall) Allowed play to run and refrained from using his cards but due to injury was replaced by a linesman with 20 minutes to play 7
Attendance: 4,755
Entertainment:
NORTHAMPTON TOWN (4-4-2):
Steele 6; JOHNSON 7, Hinton 6, Beckwith 7, Gilbert 6; Rodgers 7, Osman 7, Dyer 6, Davis 7 (Guttridge 80); McKay 6, Akinfenwa 7. Subs (not used): Walker (gk), Mulligan, Jacobs, Herbert, Harris, O'Flynn
DARLINGTON (4-3-3):
4 Redmond: Felt he was impeded for the second goal.
He wasn't and his weak punch led to Osman scoring;
5 Madden: Got forward plenty but let himself down with some mediocre crossing
6 White: Had his hands full dealing with bulky striker Akinfenwa
6 Miller: A composed head at the back, mopped up some loose balls
5 Milne: A steady performance at left-back though some passes did not reach their intended target;
6 G Smith: Kept things ticking over, but occasionally did not move the ball on quickly enough
7 WAITE: Looked more effective when Quakers switched to a four-man midfield
4 Dempsey: Has been suffering with a virus and it showed. Replaced at half-time as Quakers switched to 4-4-2;
6 Purcell: Hit the post with a header in another determined display but tired late on
5 Diop: Rarely looked like scoring, though is surely a better option than substitute Deane
4 Main: Subbed at the break having been a peripheral figure, though starved of the ball
Subs:
Gray (for Dempsey 45): His direct approach caused problems 7 Moore (for Main 45): Looked comfortable on the ball and delivered several teasing crosses from the right 7 Deane (for Diop 71) (not used): Liversedge (gk), Burn, Mulligan, Chisholm
MAN OF THE MATCH
GARETH Waite commanding when Darlington switched formation
Source: Northern Echo
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