Alun Armstrong was the match-winner after grabbing the only goal at Scunthorpe, but team-mate Adolfo Gregorio played a huge part in Quakers' fifth away win this season.

His run towards goal in the 38th minute drew Andy Butler's foul that led to the Iron defender being sent off.

After some quick passing through the centre, Gregorio was about to shoot when the offence occurred on the edge of Scunthorpe's penalty area, but the hosts felt the red card was unjust, claiming Nathan Stanton was covering.

But Darlington's American midfielder was in no doubt that Butler deserved to see red. "I think it was a red card because I'd played the ball past him right before he brought me down." said Gregorio who linked up well with Adrian Webster on Saturday.

"I was going to hit a shot with my next step so it was a good call by the referee.

"It was definitely a goalscoring opportunity so it had to be a red."

Despite having the advantage of an extra man for most of the game Quakers were unable to add to their one-goal lead which meant Iron were always in with a chance of grabbing an equaliser during an afternoon when rain lashed down on Glanford Park.

Brian Close' late red card signalled a barrage of Scunthorpe attacks near the end. At the other end, however, Gregorio put a good last minute chance over the bar and Quakers held firm to earn a vital three points.

Gregorio said: "It got a little crazy at times, then Brian got sent off, but we kept going and got the result.

"At half-time the gaffer said we just had to keep our heads, just because they were a man down it didn't mean we could quit playing the way we were. We were putting a lot of pressure on them and we just had to continue it in the second half.

"As they only had one attacker we spread the play around, moving it across from Matt on the left to Curtis on the right and brought the ball out of defence that way.

"The weather was a little different, it's not California weather, that's for sure!"

Sharing a house with Australian Webster, the 22-year-old Californian has just experienced his first Christmas in England but says that being in the Darlington first-team helped overcome any problems being away from home.

He admitted: "Christmas was a little tough. I got a phone call when all my aunts, uncles, parents and brothers were all gathered together so I missed being with them.

"But I spent Christmas at Mark Proctor's house and hung out with his family so it was cool.

"I'm enjoying my football and the guys have made me feel welcome at the club.

"If I wasn't enjoying the football and wasn't in the side maybe I'd be miserable but I'm back in the side now, hopefully I can stay there and keep going."

Read more about the Quakers here.