Both of Darlington's new forwards impressed on Saturday, leaving David Hodgson delighted with his teenage strikeforce.

Loanees Paul Hopkins and Kyle Lafferty came into the team as direct replacements for Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu and Tresor Kandol but the pair wasted no time at all bedding in as each caused Notts County problems.

Hopkins, on loan from Everton, showed great pace and a good touch while Lafferty, from Burnley, was strong in the air and took his goal well to put Quakers 1-0 up just before the break.

Hopkins came close to scoring himself midway through the half when he got across a defender and flicked a header on to the post following Carlos Logan's cross at the end of a move that the Merseysider started himself with a neat turn in midfield.

"The two new lads did really well, they were exceptional for us," beamed Hodgson who aimed a dig at the departed Ndumbu-Nsungu.

"We lost Guy but we have got now is players that know what the game is about as opposed to playing as individuals.

"Their link-up play was excellent. It was everything we want at this football club.

"They have been brought up at their football clubs in the right way which is why I said to our lads, do not worry about these boys.

"These two lads know how to link-up, spin and move - both kids showed that and it was a huge reason we looked comfortable, it did not look as though we had just lost our two main strikers."

Despite the five-match unbeaten run coming to an end and now being five points off their points total at this stage last season, Hodgson remained upbeat and he was pleased with the attitude of his young team.

He said: "I am not treating this game as a defeat, I am not down about it because it was a fantastic, committed performance so there were more pluses than negatives.

"It does not feel like a defeat at all because they all did brilliantly. This squad has great belief and a great spirit.

"The greatest thing about this bunch of kids is that they never believe the game is lost and because of that they got it back to 3-2. I did not think we would win at that point but, with this team, I had some hope that we might nick a point."

Cardiff City yesterday confirmed Ndumbu-Nsungu has signed a contract at Ninian Park til the end of the season.

Manager Dave Jones said: "The boy has something and this is an opportunity for the kid and for us.

"He's the type of player that can bring something different to the club. It'll be up to us to work with the lad in training and try to get the best out of him at this level.

"He's been banging them in for Darlington this season, and with the right direction and application he could do the same for us."

Read more about the Quakers here.