Parker’s play-off joy after red-card misery (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Parker’s play-off joy after red-card misery

9:17am Saturday 10th May 2008

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LOAN signing Ben Parker returns to the Darlington squad today, but the left-back admits he feared he would miss the playoffs through suspension.

A fortnight ago the 20-year-old was sent off in the second half of Quakers' home defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge which meant a one-match ban that was served last week at Peterborough.

But in the immediate aftermath of his dismissal Parker admits he feared the worst.

"That gave me nightmares,"

admitted the Leeds United defender.

"I sat in the changing room thinking you've blown the play-offs' and spent the whole weekend believing I'd shot myself in the foot.

"It was only on the Monday that I realised how lucky I'd been.

I'd have been gutted to miss the play-offs because Darlington have been really good to me and I've played a lot of games."

Leeds' first-choice left-back Alan Sheehan is suspended for the Yorkshire club's play-of semifinal ties with Carlisle so boss Gary McAllister was considering recalling Parker.

That could have led to playing at Wembley for his local club, but instead he is staying with Quakers, who also have the opportunity of playing at the national stadium later this month.

"I heard there might be a chance I'd be going back to Leeds when Alan got his red card, but it wasn't something I concentrated on," said Parker who has become a regular for Darlington, starting 13 matches since joining in March.

"I feel like I've got a job to finish at Darlington and it suited me to stay here.

"When pre-season starts my attention will switch to Leeds, but I've got the chance of playing at Wembley in a couple of weeks' time and that would be an incredible opportunity at my age.

"It's the sort of thing you'd look back on after you've retired.

"Darlington aren't in the best of form at the moment, but I've felt the confidence creeping back into the squad over the past couple of weeks.

"Rochdale are maybe looking at it on paper and thinking they've got the easiest draw - I hope they do think that because they'll get a nasty surprise."

Parker moved to Darlington to solve Quakers' problematic leftback position.

It has this season been filled by the likes of the injured Tim Ryan as well as loan signings Lee Ridley and Paul Mayo, while Rob Purdie has also filled in.

The move has served both parties well as not only has he plugged the left-back gap, McAllister was keen on his player gaining first-team experience away from the club he supported as a youngster.

"It was only natural that I felt a bit disappointed to be sent away from Leeds," said Parker. "I'd been in and out of the team under Dennis Wise but the new manager knows more about football than I do.

"I'm only a young lad and when he said that going out on loan was the best thing for me, it was my responsibility to listen.

"It was actually quite easy to be positive because Darlington wanted me and I knew they'd be a good club to join.

"I'd played against them for Leeds in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and they seemed like a club who were moving forward.

The fact that they're in the playoffs proves that.

"My aim at the start of the season was to play first-team football for Leeds. I've done that. I also wanted to get a good 20 or 30 games under my belt. I've done that as well. But my priority is to get Darlington promoted."

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