There was never much doubting the outcome of Darlington's FA Cup tie on Saturday as Quakers, as expected, deservedly saw off the challenge of a team two divisions below them.

But, like the first round success at Kidderminster Harriers three weeks ago, Saturday's Darlington were thankful for a touch of good fortune.

The Harriers saw chance after chance go begging - one of which rolled along the goal-line after hitting the inside of post - and although Quakers certainly earned Saturday's win, Darlington can again be thankful for Lady Luck being on their side.

Referee Howard Webb failed to award Altrincham a late, late penalty while poor Altrincham's defending culminated in both of Darlington's goals.

Deep in Darlington's penalty area, and even deeper into second half injury time, David Brightwell's clearance was blocked by Ian Clark's hand but Webb ignored the Robins' loud appeals for a penalty.

Although not intending to take the matter any further, home manager Bernard Taylor said afterwards he intends to watch a video replay of the incident, if only to reaffirm his belief that Altrincham deserved to have earned a replay.

But despite the penalty appeals and committed second half display, Altrincham couldn't quite match the Quakers, especially in the first half when Altrincham's only chances came via Darlington mistakes.

At the break, the BBC, who clearly chose the game for coverage in the anticipation of seeing a Cup upset, must have been wondering why they ever bothered as Darlington were rarely troubled - only misjudgments in defence allowing the Robins a sniff of glory.

Inside the first six minutes Darlington presented two scoring opportunities to Altrincham.

Paul Heckingbottom's headed back-pass flew past the onrushing Andy Collett, but striker Rod Thornley couldn't reach the ball in time to get in a shot from a decent angle.

And 60 seconds later Collett's poor clearance gave-away possession, but he redeemed himself when Lee Poland's effort fell to Thornley and his shot was excellently saved at close-range by the Darlington keeper.

Heckingbottom and Collett will have been thankful Alan Hansen wasn't in the Match of the Day studio on Saturday evening because, no doubt, he'd have given the pair an ear-bashing for their 'schoolboy errors'.

Hansen would've labeled Altrincham's impersonation of the Red Sea, which gifted Dan Chillingworth his goal, as 'shocking', but Darlington weren't complaining as the loanee striker nipped in to notch his first strike in a Quaker shirt.

Collett's long clearance divided Altrincham's defence as Danny Mellanby flicked the ball on to Chillingworth who did the rest from 14 yards out.

Quakers' defence remained solid until the Robins pulled level with just over 20 minutes to play.

Ian Clark, who switched to left-back, allowing Heckingbottom to take up a position centre of defence, gave away a needless free-kick from which Mark Maddox was allowed space to head forcefully past Collett.

But four minutes later Darlington's superiority told as Neil Wainwright rose to head home a pin-point Clark Cross.

Again, Altrincham could've done more to keep the ball out of their net. Mark Lawrenson on MotD bemoaned Robins' defending of both Darlington goals: the second saw Maddox mis-time his jump, allowing Wainwright the opportunity to score his fourth of the season.

The goal booked Darlington a home tie with Peterborough United on Januray 5, and avoided a frantic finish which, no doubt, would have followed had the hosts remained level going into the last ten minutes.

Taylor admitted Darlington hadn't put in the prettiest performance, and said: "It was the result that mattered. When we did get the ball down we passed it around, got into good areas and put quite a few good crosses in.

"But they stuck to their guns and made it very hard for everybody. They get the ball forward ever so quick but they didn't have too many chances, we should have been two or three-nil up by half-time with the chances we had before the break."

Maddox would never have been allowed to score if Darlington's marking had been tighter, and Taylor pointed the finger of blame at Chillingworth.

"When the forwards mark defenders, they haven't got a clue, they are useless. I hate forwards marking but they have to come back and do a job.

"Instead of trying to block people, he's let the boy Maddox get a run on him and score a super goal."

Altrincham's goal may have originated from Clark's needless foul, and then Chillingworth's slack marking, but it was the Robins' own mistakes which cost them dear.

Quakers' performance warranted a third round tie as they were the more impressive side, but the Robins were left ruing defensive errors.

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