Darlington couldn't beat a team who played with a numerical disadvantage for the majority of the league opener at Southend.

Anyone not at the game who saw Quakers' friendly defeat to Barrow seven days earlier will not have been surprised at Saturday's result.

But it's a fair bet that nobody who witnessed Darlington's 3-2 reverse at Barrow would have expected Gary Bennett' men to perform as well as they did at Roots Hall.

After an even first half, the second period saw Darlington capitalise on their extra man following the controversial sending off of Southend left-back Damon Searle on 37 minutes - after a clash with Barry Conlon - and Quakers created far more chances than their hosts.

Bennett, who fielded a 4-3-3 formation, was disappointed his team failed to convert any of their chances in front of goal, but took heart from the fact Quakers at least created the number of opportunities they did.

"It was just one of those days, we could have been out there until 10 o'clock and we still wouldn't have scored.

"Another time they'll have gone in the back of the net.

"We played very well, we stamped our authority on the game. Man for man we were a better team.

"To come and play the way we played is encouraging and we've got to build on that."

But Bennett bemoaned his team's lack of clinical finishing. "If we're going to try and be clever by chipping it over the keeper or curling it in you're never going to score, simple as that.

"Their keeper made a great save from Mark Convery but, how many times does it happen, teams go down to ten men and they win?"

Bennett opted to play Richard Hodgson and Convery in forward positions, with Neil Maddison, Mark Ford and Brian Atkinson playing holding roles in midfield. After tinkering with the defence all summer, Alex Jeannin was forced to sit out the game after Bennett chose to select a back four, with Quakers looking a lot more solid.

After a tepid opening 37 minutes, Searle's red card sent the game to boiling point, with several Southend players committing malicious fouls but the referee failed to remain consistent.

Neil Maddison was welcomed to Third Division life by being on the receiving of several over-enthusiastic challenges, including an elbow to the head courtesy of Daniel Webb, son of Shrimpers' boss Dave Webb.

Quakers came out for the second half in positive mood, with Ford, Atkinson and Conlon -who was on the receiving end of a barrage of abuse from supporters of his ex-club - all going close.

In his first taste of professional football, Danny Mellanby entered the fray as a substitute for Ford, and the 22-year-old immediately made an impact.

He caused problems in the hosts' penalty area, managing to win a corner off the legs of Leon Cort - brother of Newcastle's Carl - while a lob floated just over the crossbar.

Convery almost scored when his long-range effort was magnificently tipped wide by Darryl Flahaven, but Quakers paid for their missed chances when Mark Rawle cut inside from the left to curl a great shot past Andy Collett.

Quakers peppered Southend's goal with a flurry of shots and corners, but they couldn't earn a point, but, ultimately, it should have been three.

Captain, Craig Liddle saluted Darlington's traveling band of almost 400 supporters, but was dismayed at his team's failings in front of goal.

"The friendlies were just about getting fitness, but today we knocked it about well but the build-up at times was a little bit too slow. We needed to get it in to our front men a little bit quicker.

"I think our supporters will agree, they've been excellent again today, but I think they'll appreciate that the lads did deserve to win but we just couldn't get the ball in the net, just like last year."

Read more about the Quakers here.