The last derby to be played at Feethams was one supporters of both sides will never forget as each sides contributed to 90 minutes of frantic football.

It was a fitting way to mark Pool's last visit to Darlington's home before they move into a new ground in the summer and although Chris Turner's men bossed the majority of the first half, a draw was a fair result.

Backed by a travelling support numbering 2,000, Pool created chance after chance in the opening period but Darlington hit back and, typically, Ian Clark notched for Quakers against the club he left in November.

Although Pool never enjoyed the dominance they managed in last season's Feethams derby, they did control the first half's play so it was against the run of play when Clark opened the scoring.

Darlington captain Craig Liddle failed an afternoon fitness test but Steve Harper returned to the side as did David Brightwell after recovering from a calf strain while youngster David McGurk replaced Adam Reed.

Chances were non-exsistent in a cagey first quarter-of-an hour and it wasn't until the 15th minute that the game saw a real opportunity and it fell to the feet of former Pool forward Ian Clark but from 18 yards he sliced wide having been played through by Barry Conlon when trying to lob the ball over former roommate Anthony Williams.

But just 60 seconds later Darlington could, and should, have opened the scoring. Conlon picked the ball up on the half-way line and raced towards goal, but having left Graham Lee and Mark Robinson trailing in his wake the Dublin-born forward poked his effort too near to keeper Williams.

The two chances opened the game as both sides began to create openings with Robinson firing wide from the edge of the 18-yard box and then Paul Smith found space inside the penalty area but his low shot zipped across goal and out for a goal kick.

Pool began to take contol as they kept Quakers camped in their own half and only Darlington's resolute defending and only slack shooting prevented the visitors opening the scoring.

Micky Barron's deep cross landed on the top of Keith Finch's net, Smith saw a looping header drop over the bar and although 19-year-old Adam Boyd was deemed offside when he fired over, the preceeding passing move summed-up Pool's dominantion of the first 35 minutes.

But against the run of play during a well-contested half which Quakers took the lead, and inevitably, it was Clark who fired past Williams in front of his former fans in the Polam End.

Neil Wainwright cut inside from the right and passed to Conlon who played a slide-rule pass to Clark, who was sporting a new, short haircut for the occasion, and the 27-year-old had no hesitation in slamming the ball into the back of the net.

Shortly after the re-start Mark Tinkler beat Neil Maddison in the tackle midway through the Darlington half and the ex-York man drove into the box but he took too long in deciding to shoot and McGurk managed to block the effort.

The second half began in a very lively manner but neither side could claim to hold the upper hand, although Quakers almost doubled their advantage when Harper almost lobbed Williams from 30 yards but his effort clipped the top of the bar with Williams beaten.

And Quakers were left to rue that missed chance when Pool equalised just before the hour-mark, but Darlington only had themselves to blame as they made a hash of clearing a corner.

With both substitute Mark Sheeran, on for the injured Clark, and Adam Rundle too indecisive on the edge of the area before the ball fell to James Coppinger on the right-wing whose cross to the far post was tapped in by Tinkler.

Bouyed by the goal, Pool surged forward and were unlucky not to go ahead but Smith's glancing header from 12 yards drifted wide of the upright.

The pace of the game slowed during the middle of the second 45 minutes and opportunities for both sides were restricted as each side cancelled each other out.

Robinson had to be alert when he intercepted a Brian Atkinson's through-ball which would've put Sheeran one-on-one with the keeper, but minutes later a better touch by Smith inside the area would've rewarded the left-winger, who changed from black to gold boots at the break, with a shot at goal but he had to settle for a corner after being forced wide.

With the game entering it's final ten minutes gaps began appearing in both defences but that was to be expected given the nature of the match.

Each side were clearly determined to take all three points as both sides steamed forward and a more accurate pass from Atkinson would've sent Rundle racing towards goal and then Coppinger blasted over the bar from 12 yards but Quakers were thankful when Finch was only booked after bringing down Jermaine Easter outside the box.

Wainwright's dangerous low cross to the far post almost reached Sheeran but Barron was on hand to clear for a corner and then Easter's shot was saved well by Finch.