DAVID HODGSON cited a breakdown in communication as the reason behind Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu's recent uncertainty at the club. It seemed somehow fitting that Darlington's leading scorer let his feet do the talking yesterday.
On the same day Hodgson revealed Ndumbu-Nsungu would now remain at the club, the 23-year-old scored twice as Quakers finally saw off a stubborn Torquay United side.
Ndumbu-Nsungu was dropped at Lincoln last Saturday after failing to give Hodgson assurances over his future.
Quakers' 11-goal leading scorer is out of contract tomorrow and was stalling over a new deal.
However, after further discussions, the Congolese forward was recalled to the starting XI after Hodgson revealed he was close to agreeing terms.
Darlington's recent mini-revival has been built on belief according to the manager and, having fought from behind to claim hard-earned points at Carlisle and Lincoln, a new-found resilience is evident too.
And, despite surrendering the lead on two occasions yesterday, Quakers dug deep to claim a dramatic late victory.
Even when Quakers were reduced to ten men at Lincoln on New Year's Eve, and two goals down, Hodgson's men refused to throw in the towel.
But, as they again demonstrated yesterday, Quakers are at their most vulnerable when leading in games.
Tresor Kandol had given Quakers a 15th minute lead, only for relegation-haunted Torquay to level through Martin Phillips on the stroke of half-time.
Ndumbu-Nsungu restored Quakers' advantage in the 76th minute, before substitute Alan Connell levelled two minutes before full-time.
But, it was Ndumbu-Nsungu who had the final word, keeping a cool head to stroke home an injury-time winner from the penalty spot.
"I was very disappointed that he was more than happy here ten days ago and then all of a sudden he was unhappy," said Hodgson.
"There was a slight mix-up of words - my French isn't that good and his Geordie is nowhere as near as good as mine.
"It was a simple misunderstanding. I had a long chat with Guy and his agent on Sunday and it now looks as though he will be staying.
"We do not want him to go but we will never have a gun put to our heads, that's for sure."
For all his team tinkering this season, Hodgson has defended the amount of changes made to both personnel and system - the consequence, he feels, of a continuous list of injuries and suspensions.
He made two changes from the side, which earned an unlikely point at Lincoln 48 hours earlier. Brian Close missed out after taking a knock, meaning a recall for Ryan Valentine at right-back.
There was an early scare when, after Morike Sako was fouled on the edge of the Quakers box, the giant Frenchman drove the free-kick goalwards only to see his effort tipped over by David Knight.
There was another wake-up call for the home side in the 13th minute. Knight was slow to get across goal to Martin Phillips' 25-yard effort, but luckily for the on-loan keeper the ball struck the upright.
But, just two minutes later, Quakers were in front with the move of the game. Clark Keltie was the architect and Kandol provided the finishing touch.
After winning the ball and skillfully turning past his man from a deep midfield position, Keltie picked out Kandol in the box.
The on-loan striker nodded down to Jonjo Dickman and after his shot came back of the post, Kandol was unmarked at the back post to score his second goal in as many games.
As the visitors - unbeaten in seven before yesterday - looked for an instant reply Shelton Martis had to be alert to clear under pressure from Sako.
And, on the stroke of half-time, after Quakers failed to clear, Phillips volleyed Torquay level.
Phillips - once hailed by 1966 World Cup-winning Alan Ball as the next big thing - then turned provider, crossing from the right for Jo Kuffour, who dragged his shot inches wide.
Sako then tried his luck from long range, but his free-kick failed to cause Knight any problems.
As home frustrations began to mount, there was another let off for Quakers when Kevin Hill made a hash of a glorious opportunity to score, mis-hitting Phillips' cross.
Quakers should have been awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Alex Lawless appeared to block Neil Wainwright's cross with his hand.
With little to suggest the home side were capable of restoring their advantage, Hodgson made a triple substitution in the 70th minute in a bid to take maximum points.
Six minutes later and Ndumbu-Nsungu was on hand to restore Quakers lead. Latching on to Keltie's pass down the right, despite the tight angle, Ndumbu-Nsungu drove low across the face of goal and into the bottom corner.
Torquay could have immediately levelled but Hill could only poke a weak effort straight into the arms of Knight, before Connell grabbed Torquay's second.
Ndumbu-Nsungu, however, was not finished and, after Matt Clarke was pushed in the box by Sako, he fired home from the spot.
Sako was then sent off for protesting referee Jonathan Moss' decision and then manager Leroy Rosenoir was sent to the stands for throwing a flag on the halfway line to the ground, compounding the misery on Torquay as Quakers made a winning start to 2006.
Result: Darlington 3, Torquay United 2.
Read more about the Quakers here.
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