Following a solid start to the season, which yielded 2 wins and 2 draws, Darlington next had to take on 4 sides who are expected to be in the race for promotion. Momentum had to be regained after draws against Notts County and Macclesfield, and performances against sides who expect to be looking to get in to League 1 next May would go along way towards showing whether Darlington could be challenging the top sides in the league.

Game 5 in the league was Darlington's toughest test of the season so far, a trip to Rotherham. This was to prove to be the Quaker's most impressive showing of the campaign. Just minutes after kick off, Julian Joachim, who has impressed in his new role on the right of midfield, threaded an inch perfect through ball to Pawel Abbott, who calmly slotted Darlington ahead. After that, Darlo sat back and allowed Rotherham to dominate possession. Darlington's defence held strong and just when the Millmoor crowd sensed a home goal, it was the Quakers who struck 15 minutes from time. Joachim floated over a fine cross and substitute Gregg Blundell nodded in Darlington's second. That goal took the sting out of Rotherham who couldn't score a consolation and Darlington took a convincing 2-0 win.

The next game, at the newly renamed Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena, was against Lincoln. Despite being tipped for promotion, Lincoln hadn't got off to a great start this season and were languishing in the bottom half. After being in control of the match for over half an hour, Darlington finally got the opening goal, which they deserved. Lincoln keeper Alan Marriott fluffed a simple cross and dropped the ball at the feet of Abbott, who gratefully volleyed in his 4th goal of the season to put Darlo 1-0 ahead. If it had taken Darlington a while to open the scoring in the first half, it took them less than a minute after the restart to double their advantage. Joachim's cross was cleared to the edge of the area where Ricky Ravenhill drilled in Darlo's second. The game was comfortable after that, Darlington easily wrapped up another win. This was Darlington's 5th clean sheet of the season. They remained unbeaten and were top of the league.

With a 4th win under their belt, the Quakers were eager to make that a fifth at MK Dons. However, Darlo, instead of playing their normal football, went into total defensive lockdown at the side who, nearly 20 years ago won the FA Cup as Wimbledon. Now, they have fallen into the bottom tier of English league football and are out to regain some of their lost pride. Darlington's defensive tactics looked like paying off, when, with just 1 minute to play, a long ball thrown into the Darlington penalty area was met with the head of Drissa Diallo. That late goal ended Darlington's unbeaten start, but despite the loss, due to a surprise defeat for Chesterfield, Darlington still occupied top spot in League 2.

Darlington wanted to return to winning ways at home to pre-season favourites Peterborough. Managed by Darren Ferguson (son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson) Peterborough wanted to show the early league leaders just what they were made of. Darlington, who lost number 1 keeper David Stockdale to a shoulder injury the day before and leading striker Pawel Abbott to a knee injury in the warm up, were disappointing throughout the first half and into the second. Then, with 25 minutes to play, Tommy Wright broke the deadlock with his 4th goal of the season, a guided header from 12 yards. 10 minutes later, the game swung in favour of the visitors. French debutant Xavier Barrau received a second yellow card on his 1st and probably his last appearance for the Quakers. That left Darlington hanging on with 10 men for 15 minutes. And for the second consecutive game, Darlington conceded late on when Craig Mackhail-Smith acrobatically levelled for Peterborough on 90 minutes. The draw for Darlington coupled with MK Dons win, dropped Darlington to 2nd.

So, the solid start was continued. Unfortunately, late goals cost Darlington. Over the season, Darlington have dropped 5 points in the last 2 minutes. Those points would've put Darlington 4 clear of MK Dons, but results have left the Quakers 1 point behind the former FA Cup winners. Darlington next host Rochdale on October 2nd before travelling to Dagenham and Redbridge. October is slightly easier for Darlington, but the late goals problem will have to be addressed if Darlington are going to be in League 1 next season.