THE sun really shone on Darlington over the bank holiday weekend as Quakers picked up six points out of six with excellent wins over Hartlepool United and Bristol Rovers.

A superb save from Andy Collett and some stout defending put Gerry Francis' Pirates to flight on Monday after Barry Conlon had bundled the ball home midway through the second half to open his goal account for Darlington.

The 1-0 win was Quakers' third league victory on the trot and pushed them into third place in the Nationwide Division Three table.

It followed a battling 2-1 success over the old enemy at Victoria Park on Saturday. Mark Tinkler had put the home side ahead after 15 minutes, but Quakers came roaring back to take a half-time lead.

It was a real family affair as Brian Atkinson first took advantage of a mistake by Pool keeper Martin Hollund to drill home the equaliser. His nephew Danny Mellanby then put Quakers ahead after Neil Wainwright's powerful run caused the home defence problems.

Gary Bennett's men again defended well to preserve the lead in the second half and Darlington came close to a third goal when Wainwright volleyed against the crossbar from six yards.

The acquisition of Wainwright and the impressive form of Richard Hodgson has given the team more attacking options, while Conlon and Mellanby seem to be linking well up front.

Hodgson again made a telling contribution when replacing the injured Neil Maddison against Hartlepool - his cross from the left led to the equaliser - and he also set up the winner against Bristol Rovers after earning a starting place.

The pieces of the jigsaw appear to be suddenly falling into place for Bennett. He will be hoping that the confidence which springs from a winning run will carry Quakers to another good result at Lincoln City tomorrow.