Darlington won their first game of the year thanks to a battling performance against Cheltenham at Feethams last night.

Quakers were a considerable improvement on their recent dismal performances although they had to rely on an own goal from Cheltenham skipper Mark Freeman for three valuable points.

Quakers showed great character in the game especially as the visitors dominated the last half hour.

Darlington manager Gary Bennett opted to start with three centre-halves which allowed wing backs Steve Harper and Phil Brumwell to maraud down both flanks.

Quakers forced two corners inside the first five minutes as they showed plenty of determination without really creating an opening.

Cheltenham nearly took the lead against the run of play after 14 minutes when the Darlington defence failed to clear a loose ball on the edge of their own box and Andy Collett had to go full stretch to push away a low drive from Mark Yates.

Quakers had a good chance themselves four minutes later when Paul Campbell chested down a Brumwell cross inside the area but pulled his show wide of the post.

They had another opportunity after 20 minutes when Harper's left-hand cross was mis-hit by Paul Beavers on the volley only for John Williams to miss from the resulting rebound.

Cheltenham defender Mark Freeman showed Quakers how to do it after 22 minutes.

Brumwell crossed harmlessly into the box from the right but the Cheltenham skipper under no real pressure lobbed the ball over his advancing keeper.

Five minutes later chairman George Reynolds appeared in the technical area alongside Bennett and Mick Tait and appeared to give some advice to the manager and team.

When the chairman tried to do the same again after 35 minutes he was told to leave by the fourth official.

Quakers remained in control with some good running and passing and had another chance before the break but Beavers shot straight at Steve Book.

But they suffered a blow just before the whistle when defender Paul Heckingbottom had to go off with what appeared to be a recurrence of his groin injury.

Darlington had the first chance of the second half when Williams flicked on a Brumwell throw and Paul Campbell sent an overhead kick just over the bar.

But then Quakers lost their grip on the game. They had an escape after 60 minutes when Yates headed a Collett clearance back into the path of Julian Alsop who despite an attempted foul by Adam Reed ran into the box, where Craig Liddle managed to get in a superb saving tackle.

And there was a better chance a minute later when Martin Devaney met a cross from the steering the ball wide from six yards out.

Darlington responded with a header by substitute Adam Marsh which Book tipped over the bar but at the other end Collett had to block at Chris Iwelumo's feet

There were gasps of relief after 82 minutes when Alsop's shot from ten yards was deflected just past the post.

There was still time for more heart stopping moments for the Feethams' faithful, and in the last minute of stoppage time Alsop blazed over the bar