Premier reward for Quakers

Quakers, who are at home for the first leg of the second round tie following last night's draw, trailed 1-0 at the break and could have been even further behind against First Division Forest.

But they were transformed when Elliott came on in the second half and they pulled off one of the biggest giant-killing acts in their history.

Quakers fought back in great style in the second half and at the final whistle there were great celebrations among the travelling fans and players.

Triumphant manager Gary Bennett paid tribute to his players. "It was a great fight back. I wasn't happy with the way we played in the first half, so we shuffled things around at half-time and the way the players fought back in the second half was brilliant.

"These players keep on surprising me and you have to admire their character for the way they fought back.

"Both goals were real classy efforts, especially Elliott's, which was a fantastic finish. He kept his cool well to score a goal from that distance."

Darlington brought on Elliott for Steve Walklate at half-time and his introduction lifted Quakers and they put together some promising moves.

However, Forest nearly got a second, but Reed bravely blocked a piledriver from Andy Johnson, then Van Der Geest scrambled along his line to hold the follow-up from Stern John.

But Quakers were now having more of the play and growing in confidence at the same time and they nearly levelled after 58 minutes when Richard Hodgson, on his return to his old club, controlled a low cross from Jesper Hjorth and put a right-foot shot just wide.

Paul Campbell came on for the hard working Williamson after 68 minutes and his appearance brought immediate dividends after 74 minutes.

Elliott found Hodgson on the left and his pinpoint cross was headed in by Campbell for his first goal in a year to send the travelling fans wild.

And Campbell nearly got a second after 70 minutes when Lenit Zezu, on for Angel, found him breaking clear with a 30-yard pass, but he pulled his shot wide of the post.

However, Forest regained their composure. David Prutton hit the post from the corner of the box and Van Der Geest pulled off an excellent save from substitute Dougie Freedman.

But then came an amazing twist to the game with just five minutes left. Beasant dropped a clanger by clearing the ball straight to Elliott, who hit the ball full on the volley straight back into the net from inside the centre circle. Elliott celebrated by diving with joy in front of the Darlington fans.

Forest threw everyone forward in the dying minutes but with Liddle and Reed in control at the back did not trouble Van Der Geest.

Forest had most of the early pressure and after a couple of minutes Reed playing in the centre of defence because of an injury to Paul Heckingbottom, cleared a dangerous cross from his former team-mate Robbie Blake, who was making his debut for Forest.

The home side took the lead after just nine minutes. Gary Himsworth's clearance went straight to Johnson, who immediately released John and the striker raced clear to beat Frank Van Der Geest from ten yards.

But Quakers nearly levelled after 16 minutes. Mark Angel, making his debut on the right wing, cut in and hit a left-foot drive from 25 yards which Forest keeper Beasant held under his crossbar.

Forest nearly went two up after 16 minutes when Blake rolled back the years for Darlington fans. With his back to goal on the edge of the box, he turned quickly and hit a curling, left foot shot which Van Der Geest saved at full stretch.

Forest had another chance on the half hour when David Platt picked out David Prutton on the right, but the midfielder toe-poked his effort over the bar.

Quakers kept going but they nearly went two down when Jim Brennan crossed perfectly for John to head just over from six yards out.

And Blake again nearly broke through just on half-time when he beat Van Der Geest with a left-foot shot but the ball rebounded off the post to safety.