Darlington's next home game against Rochdale on January 31 is arguably the most important in their history after the administrators warned fans they must come out and support the club if they want Quakers to stay in existence.

Every day leading up to the Rochdale game, Northern Echo Sport will look back at a match pivotal in the club's 120-year history. Today we look at the Durham FA Challenge Cup final replay, the first competition the club entered.

Darlington 0 Sunderland 2 Durham FA Cahllenge Cup Final replay May 3, 1884.

Darlington Football Club was formed on July 20, 1883, by a group of townspeople who gathered in the old Grammar School, near St Cuthbert's Church.

The new club played its first few home games in North Lodge Park before transferring to Feethams. The first competition the club entered was the Durham FA Challenge Cup. They beat Stanley Park 8-0 in the first round, had a bye in the second before beating Bishop Auckland Church Institute 2-1 in the third.

The semi-final against Sedgefield Wasps went to a replay, which the "Skernesiders" won 4-1.

The final was against Sunderland at Monkwearmouth Old Cricket Ground in front of 2,500 spectators. "A most unpleasant match was awarded to Sunderland by four goals to three," reported The Northern Echo. But Darlington protested about the referee's decisions and - sensationally - their protest was upheld.

The game was replayed in Birtley, with the Football Association sending up its president, Major Marindin, to oversee the game. Marindin was the Pierluigi Collina of his day: he was regarded as utterly unbiased (although he didn't like Scottish teams) and he refereed the FA Cup finals from 1884 to 1888 (for the Board of Trade he inspected everything from new railways to electric lighting systems).

Major Marindin ensured there was no unpleasantness in the replay. In atrocious conditions, Darlington chose to kick with the wind. "Again and again the ball was kicked and dribbled down into close proximity to Sunderland's goal, but no score was obtained," reported The Northern Echo.

After the turn-around, Sunderland scored twice through Macdonald and Allen, and had one disallowed for handball.

"The smart passing and unselfish play of the Darlington forwards was much commented upon, but they could not evade the Sunderland backs," said the Echo.

The match report finished with Darlington's team-sheet, making it the first Quakers' line-up ever recorded.

Darlington: CS Craven; TJ Cleave-Warne (captain), A Pryce, HJ Hodgson, J Moore, JCP Maynard; CL Glover, T Wright, TW Dixon, WE Kirsop, AC Tofts.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Don't forget to support the Quakers in the all-stars match this Sunday, January 25, kick-off 1pm, and on January 31 against Rochdale, kick-off 3pm. Both matches at the Reynolds Arena.

Read more about the Quakers here.