RETRO: Chesterfield's Darling, known for ability to earn penalties, on target at the Posh

Malcolm Darling, in white, is pictured sliding in to steer the ball past Peterborough’s Eric Steele and score Chesterfield’s first goal in their 2-0 win at London Road.

The victory at ninth-placed Posh catapaulted Chesterfield out of the relegation zone and signalled the beginning of a steady run of form that allowed the early-season strugglers to attain a mid-table place.

Darling finished on eight goals from 44 games that season but - long before all those continental players came over here and ‘taught honest British pros how to dive’ - he earned more for Chesterfield’s regular penalty-taker, Terry Shanahan, by going down in the box at every opportunity.

Joining the club in December of this season, Shanahan finished on 13 from 27 games, with eight of those coming from the spot.

Both were eclipsed by the ever-present Ernie Moss’ tally of 20 goals.

Darling moved on loan to Stockport in March 1977 and started the following season at Sheffield Wednesday.

He finished his career with Darwen, in the Lancashire Combination.