ON the night when Darlington hit the big screen, Carlos Logan was the star of the show as his first half blockbuster set David Hodgson's men on the way to their first win of the season.

There was no sign of stage fright on Darlington's newly-installed giant screen as they marked their 50th game at Neasham Road with a thoroughly entertaining and deserved victory, capped by Logan's superb 28th minute goal, volleying home Shelton Martis' cross.

Indeed, Logan's first half super-strike epitomsed a stylish display from Quakers, which manager David Hodgson will be hoping is more than just a cameo this season.

While Hodgson was keen to point out before last night's encounter that his side will need time to work as a unit, the early signs aren't bad.

Against a Stockport side managed by former Hartlepool boss Chris Turner - facing Darlington for the first time since Pool were defeated in the 2000 play-off semi-final - Hodgson's men provided fans with proof that they mean business this season.

As Hodgson turns his attention to Saturday's visit of Leyton Orient he will be asking for more of the same from his players.

He will no doubt challenge his players to make performances like last night's the norm this season.

Hodgson will need no reminding that last season's failure to secure a play-off spot was effectively decided by erratic form.

"When you look at last season we lost a lot points from games we should have won," said Hodgson. "We went a goal up tonight and I wanted to see what their response was after half-time.

"We were sloppy at times but I thought on the whole we played some very good football.

"We opened them up on occasions and I was pleased with the opportunities we created.

"Now we have to go and show the fans that we can perform well week-in, week-out, starting with Orient on Saturday."

Hodgson made just one change from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Nene Park, handing Neil Wainwright his first start of the season as New Zealand international Adrian Webster dropped to the bench.

Despite the availability of David Duke after serving the final game of a three-match ban at Rushden, the former Sunderland man settled for a place on the bench.

The Darlington Football Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for former Hartlepool striker Jermaine Easter.

The bustling forward scored two goals while on loan at Cambridge in March 2004 and last season Easter proved a handful in the Us' 1-1 draw in the North-East.

It didn't take Easter long to make his mark last night, whipping over a second minute cross for Danny Boshell, who headed tamely over the bar.

Little more than a peripheral figure at Rushden three days earlier, Matty Appleby provided the early impetus from midfield for Quakers and his long-range drive in the sixth minute was only narrowly wide after good work down the right from Wainwright.

Wainwright was then the provider for skipper Matt Clarke, whose looping header was hacked off the line by County defender Keith Briggs.

Russell ensured one for the cameras moments later, acrobatically turning Michael Wolski's half volley over the bar.

While Stockport could only pose an occasional attacking threat, it was the home side who continued to dictate with the kind of free-flowing football Hodgson has so often preached.

With Logan and Wainwright providing the width on either flank, Hodgson's men had the balance to stretch Stockport's beleageuered defence on almost every forward foray.

There was little the Hatters' back-line could do when Logan gave Quakers a superb 28th minute lead.

Fellow home debutant Martis bent it like Beckham from the right, and ghosting in at the back post Logan volleyed past James Spencer with the arrogance of Eric Cantona.

There may have been no need for a big screen replay had a similar effort found its way into the County net in the 34th minute, but this time Spencer saved well with his body.

He was again called upon in the 58th minute when he saved comfortably from Johnson, when the former Leeds striker had better options around him.

Substitute Akpo Sojde had a glorious chance to put the game beyond Stockport in the 79th minute, aiming the ball tamely at Spencer on the edge of the six-yard area.

Moments later Ryan Valentine produced a superb last-ditch challenge to block from Adam Le Fondre on the edge of the area.

In a nerve-jangling finale, Russell saved bravely at the feet of Le Fondre in the 86th minute.

But Sodje made sure of victory two minutes later, heading home Wainwright's cross.