DARLINGTON head into Saturday's game at home to Rushden with confidence having picked up a point, thanks to Barry Conlon's late leveller from a tough encounter at Macclesfield Town last night.

But Quakers's downfall in a game they should have won was a familiar story: missed chances.

The hosts belied their League status and were tough to break down as Darlington found to their cost, but Quakers played their best football after Conlon's equaliser almost ten minutes from time.

The first two chances of the game fell to Darlington as they looked to pick up three points away from home for the first time since the derby win at Hartlepool.

Macclesfield keeper Steve Wilson was forced into a full stretch save to tip over a Brian Atkinson chip following a great run by the midfielder.

Minutes later Mark Convery, in the team ahead of the injured Neil Wainwright, had his goalbound shot blocked by Karl Munroe who slid in to stop a certain goal following good work by Richard Hodgson on the left flank.

The opener came in the 14th minute as the visitors scored from their first real attack of the game, ex-Nottingham Forest front man Lee Glover tapping home after Andy Collett had parried Richard Tracey's effort.

Tracey almost set up a second Macclesfield goal when his cross shot reached Kyle Lightbourne, who was linked with a move to Feethams in the summer, but Craig Liddle was on hand to block a certain undeserved goal.

The goal would have been scarcely deserved as Darlington had created as many, if not more, opportunities in front of goal, although Gary Bennett's side never scaled the heights reached in the victory over Leyton Orient a week ago.

Darlington's easiest chance of the evening came almost halfway through the second period in what was Quakers' first attack after the interval.

Conlon's header from Atkinson's right wing corner was blocked but the rebound fell to Mellanby in space six yards from goal, but he spooned over.

Just when Darlington looked to be heading for a third defeat of the season they rallied to grab a deserved equaliser.

Conlon was alert enough to pick up a rebound from substitute Steve Harper to notch his fourth of the campaign and ensure put Quakers did not return from the north west empty handed.

Read more about Darlington FC here.