QUAKERS' mini-revival is put to the sternest of tests tomorrow when they play table-topping Chesterfield at Feethams.
A win may be a tall order but it is much-needed. Saturday's 1-1 draw at Plymouth Argyle left Darlington in a wobbly 18th place in the Nationwide Third Division.
Manager Gary Bennett viewed the Home Park performance as one of his team's best of the season as they dominated the game for long periods, but wasteful finishing proved costly.
They had already missed a hatful of chances before Argyle took the lead after 38 minutes with a Craig Taylor free-kick. The deserved equaliser came on the hour when John Williams turned in the box to score with a low shot.
On Tuesday night, Quakers extended their unbeaten run to three games with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town to reach the last 16 of the LDV Vans Trophy.
On a frosty Feethams pitch, Darlington got off to a great start after five minutes when Craig Liddle scored with a neat header.
Although the Shrews had the better of exchanges at times, the home defence, with Liddle, Mark Kilty and keeper Frank van der Geest outstanding, kept the visitors at bay.
Quakers' second after 77 minutes wrapped up the game. Substitute Gary Williamson won the ball and released Richard Hodgson down the left, and the winger's low cross was bundled into the net by teenager Adam Marsh for his first goal for the club.
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