JayHoultLUFC
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Darlington vs Leeds YEP Player RatingsThe Yorkshire Evening Post's chief football writer gives his verdict on Leeds United's Carling Cup win at Darlington.
Shane Higgs: The United goalkeeper had even less to do than he did against Exeter on Saturday. His handling was steady, though, and kept an unfamiliar defence on an even keel - 6/10
Jason Crowe: Darlington were never able to put him under great pressure and the right side of United's defence held firm. Has more to offer in attack than he was able to last night - 6/10
Lubomir Michalik: Helped restrict Darlington to one shot on target, and although Todd's forwards gave Michalik a physical work-out, they had few opportunities to get in behind him - 6/10
Paul Huntington: Made an important block from Chandler 10 minutes before the break and was kept very honest by Thorpe. A 90-minute competitive outing should do him good - 6/10
Andy Hughes: Picked in preference to Aidy White and did not let Grayson down. Darlington made limited use of the flanks, but Hughes rarely allowed the door to the right wing to open - 6/10
Robert Snodgrass: Giving Snodgrass freedom to roam in the second half was tactically astute and his cross for the goal epitomised his effort to force something from an uninspired game - 7/10
Michael Doyle: Doyle's passing was relatively tidy and the loan man protected Grayson's backline well. Produced the only effort worth mentioning in the first half, an awkward volley from long range - 6/10
Jonathan Howson: The skipper failed to make much impression on the first half but came to life in the second, benefiting from the space and possession he started to see in midfield - 6/10
Bradley Johnson: Everything United did went through him in the first 45 minutes, but his end product was often lacking. Unlucky to see a shot rattle the crossbar, though the miss was not crucial - 6/10
Enoch Showunmi: His anticipation of Snodgrass' cross allowed him to claim the only goal, the highlight of a mixed night. Missed another great chance, and parts of the game passed him by - 6/10
Mike Grella: One of the stars of a mediocre show in Darlington. Dynamic and inventive on the ball, always looking for space and a striker who is growing in confidence by the game - 7/10
Substitutes
Luciano Becchio (for Showunmi, 73) - 5/10
Neil Kilkenny (for Grella, 83) - 5/10
Andy Robinson (for Snodgrass, 90) - 5/10
Not used: Casper Ankergren, Alan Sheehan, Aidy White.
DARLINGTON: Knight, Arnison, Bower, Foster (Plummer 76), Miller, Jeff Smith (Windass 59), Lumsdon, Thorpe (Main 79), Gary Smith, Chandler, Dowson. Subs (not used): Bennett, Liversedge, Riley, Convery.
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