Caretaker boss Mick Tait took another step towards earning the Quakers hotseat permanently after seeing his side earn a hard-fought 2-1 win over Southend on Saturday.

Former Shrimpers striker Barry Conlon scored one and made the other as Darlington picked up a valuable three points to pull themselves away from the foot of the Third Division.

With Craig Liddle suspended, youngster Clark Keltie was handed the captain's armband.

And the stand-in skipper, who opened his account for the club at Shrewsbury last week, was handed a chance to double his tally from the penalty spot after nine minutes.

Conlon was upended in the box by Leon Cort and Keltie stepped up only to see his spot-kick brilliantly turned away by Darryl Flahaven.

Quakers continued to dominate and went ahead after 37 minutes through ex-Roots Hall favourite Conlon.

Ashley Nicholls' corner found Stuart Whitehead on the edge of the box and the defender's header back into the area eventually fell to Conlon who rammed the ball home from close range.

Southend were handed a chance to level in the 60th minute when Kevin Maher earned his side a penalty after taking a tumble over Ryan Valentine.

Tes Bramble stepped up only to see his effort go high over the bar.

Quakers made it two with three minutes of the game remaining.

Conlon held off his marker before slotting the ball through for Nicholls who kept his composure before curling past Flahaven from an acute angle.

Southend pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Bramble but Quakers held on to claim a thoroughly deserved win.