DARLINGTON keeper Dave Stockdale pulled off a stunning penalty save to maintain the Quakers' unbeaten start to the season in a 0-0 draw at Macclesfield.

Leading the table at the start of the afternoon, Darlington had fluffed their lines in front of goal when, against the run of play, right-back Tom Ryan upended Danny Thomas in the box.

Last season Macclesfield penalty king Kevin McIntyre scored nine out of nine from the spot but he met his match in Stockdale, who made a sharp diving save to his right to claw away the waist-high attempt.

The Quakers had seen Micky Cummins shoot over the bar, and Pawel Abbott have an effort superbly saved by Tommy Lee before the penalty.

But afterwards it was Macclesfield who began to dominate with former Manchester City defender Richard Edghill going closest in the 40th minute with a curling right-foot drive.

In the 70th minute, Stockdale made another fine save to deny Martin Gritton but it was Darlington who should have sealed all three points at the death when substitue striker Ian Harty poked a chance from six yards straight at goalkeeper Lee.

Tweet