After a successful but temporary afternoon in the Darlington hot-seat Mark Proctor admitted that one day he may fancy a more permanent role in charge.

The assistant manager stepped into the breach at Bury when David Hodgson was hit by a virus that prevented him from travelling, but there were no problems as Proctor filled in as No.1.

With reserve player/coach Neil Maddison rested and Martin Gray and Mick Tait occupied with the youth team's game at Hull, Darlington's only other member of staff at Gigg Lane was goalkeeping coach, Andy Collett.

But, with the team selection already having been made during the week, Proctor was able to enjoy his day as Quakers ended as deserved victors.

"I felt quite calm and comfortable being in charge, although obviously the result helped. But I might have felt a bit differently after the game had we conceded a late goal.

"With Bury starting the better side I was having second thoughts about the formation but I stuck with it and it paid off.

"This is the first season when I've been involved with the first XI and I'm finding it very different to the work I've done before. "Hodgy's been at this for the best part of ten years but it's all new to me.

"This season has been a great learning curve and I'm really enjoying being his No. 2.

"Who knows what the future may hold, management one day, maybe?"

The victory quickly healed the scars inflicted during last week's defeat at Southend and Darlington can look towards Saturday's home game with 20th placed Notts County.

"After last week's performance, which was very disappointing, it was important we got a good win and performance and we did it" said Proctor.

"Bury might argue they deserved a point, but I'd say otherwise. For the first 20 minutes we were under the cosh so we had to put our tin hats on and Sam Russell made a couple of good saves, but after that we started to get a grip on the game and play like we know we can."

In what is now one of Quakers' closest away fixtures, Darlington were backed by a raucous away following and, on the day of Bobby Petta's debut alongside fellow countryman Clyde Wijnhard, some held up a Dutch flag.

Proctor added: "We had terrific support behind the goal, I was quite surprised by the numbers (632) that turned up.

"They were very noisy and I'm delighted for them that we got the win."

* Darlington's youth team won 4-0 at Hull on Saturday.

Read more about the Quakers here.