No rush for Hodgson in search of a striker

While Hodgson is prepared to bide his time, supporters have become increasingly agitated by the lack of activity in the transfer market - the two solitary goals scored prior to Saturday's trip to bottom of the table Chester providing cause for concern.

But where others may have stumbled into 'panic buys', Hodgson has stood firm under the shackles of administration.

With one place available in his squad, Hodgson knows he can ill-afford one wrong move at such an early stage of the season.

Had Quakers not put three past a poor Chester side at the weekend, Hodgson may have been tempted to step up his efforts this week.

Indeed, Quakers' first visit to the Deva Stadium since January 2000 provided Hodgson with enough evidence to suggest his side are more than capable of holding their own in League Two.

For the first time this season Quakers were clinical in the box and watching from the stands, newly appointed Chester manager and former Liverpool legend Ian Rush - unveiled to fans before kick-off - can't have been failed to be impressed with the visitors' vigilance in front of goal.

"We could have succumbed to the pressure and the frustration of ourselves and the fans by bringing somebody in for the wrong reasons just to appease people," said assistant manager Mark Proctor.

"But we've stuck to our principles and made sure the people we do bring in will help the future of Darlington Football Club."

Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham remains a target. However, the 19-year-old will not be available until October.

"We have asked for Danny Graham at any cost but obviously that final decision rests with Middlesbrough," said Proctor.

"They want to asses Danny in his own environment and we will re-asses the situation in 6-8 weeks."

Neil Wainwright showed Rush-like instincts to put Quakers one up on 16 minutes, pouncing from close range after Ian Clark's angled effort could only be parried by Chester keeper Wayne Brown.

The home side should have levelled almost instantly when Quakers were caught flat-footed at the back, allowing Kevin Rapley to head straight into the arms of Sam Russell from six yards out.

And despite a lively start from the home side, with bustling winger Lee Ellison causing one or two problems with his physical presence, Quakers doubled their advantage on 25 minutes through Joe Kendrick.

Ignoring Proctor's instructions from the bench to get into the box for a Craig Russell corner, Kendrick remained on the edge of the area. And when Chester could only half clear, the former Newcastle man was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club.

With five minutes of the half remaining and to the disbelief of most in the ground Matt Clarke was booked by referee Russell Booth for backing into a Chester defender when he appeared to be fouled.

With more hold ups than a rugby league encounter, the Nottingham official awarded no less than 41 free-kicks, which was no reflection on a competitive but fair encounter.

Resorting to long balls, Chester chose the route one approach with half-time approaching and it very nearly paid dividends.

Michael Branch - passed fit after picking up a knee injury in the Carling Cup defeat at Sunderland four days earlier - latched on to a speculative ball over the Quakers defence, before Joey Hutchinson and Sam Russell combined to clear on the edge of the area.

With a two-goal cushion Quakers were happy to draw their opponents forward and Branch was unlucky not to pull a goal back in the 54th minute when he turned his shot just wide under pressure from Craig Liddle.

However, Clarke but the game beyond Chester 10 minutes later with his second goal of the season. Striker partner Craig Russell whipped over a corner and Clarke rose highest to plant his header past Brown.

As "Rushy, what's the score?" rang from the 200 visiting fans, the man himself must have been left wondering what lay ahead in his first managerial position.

Sam Russell produced a superb point-blank save to deny substitute Cortez Belle in the 69th minute, before Ben Davies found the side-netting with a curling free-kick from the edge of the area.

Minutes after being booked for kicking the ball out of sight and out of the stadium, Branch had one last stab at finding the net only to find Sam Russell in irrepressible form.

Cambridge United may not be as generous when they arrive at the Williamson Motors Stadium this afternoon, but Hodgson will no doubt challenge his players to prove that Saturday's triumph was no flash in the pan.