Durham City boss Dickie Ord is very frustrated

 Source: Newcastle Evening Chronicle

 THE curse of the Manager of the Month Award has struck Durham City boss Dickie Ord after his side’s winless run stretched to four games.

After exiting the Durham Challenge Cup in a 4-3 defeat at home to Su nderland RCA, City took FC United of Manchester to a replay in the FA Trophy.

Wednesday’s extra-time defeat at Gigg Lane was then followed by a 2-0 defeat at title-chasing Curzon Ashton.

After winning every game in October, Durham have yet to taste victory this month and have slipped to seventh – while unbeaten Ashton have taken over at the top.

Durham paid the price for two defensive lapses at the Tameside Stadium, though there was only one goal in it until the closing stages of the game.

Both high-fliers had early chances, but Curzon’s Chris McDonagh shot into the side netting and City defender Ross Wilkinson put a free header wide.

The home side were ahead after 37 minutes with a simple goal from Kristian Dennis, who tapped home after James Winter failed to hold on to a Sam Walker shot.

That changed Ord’s half-time team talk, with Durham now behind against a side which had won 12 and drawn two of its opening 14 league games.

The first goal was always going to be crucial, though Elliott Cutts spurned a chance to put Durham back into the game early in the second half.

Winter then kept the Citizens in it with saves from Andy Watson and Walker, but it was all over 12 minutes from time.

Wilkinson could only turn McDonagh’s cross from the right into his own net and against a side which had conceded only nine league goals there was no way back.

Durham City now have a free week to prepare for the visit of 13th-placed Salford City this weekend.

Nov 14 2011,
Evening Chronicle