PERHAPS with so much at stake it was inevitable that Darlington would have to settle for a share of the points against Grimsby Town last night.

A goalless draw prevented Quakers from moving back into the top seven for the first time since September, while Grimsby failed to overtake Wycombe Wanderers at the top of League Two.

But, for both sides' lofty aspirations, last night's stalemate was hardly the perfect advert for League Two football.

Grimsby, with their aerial advantage, will have felt more aggrieved to have dropped two points in the North-East, although neither side created much in the final third to warrant maximum takings.

Against Peterborough on Saturday Quakers failed to perform for 70 minutes, before turning around a one-goal deficit to claim an unlikely 2-1 win.

Last night David Hodgson's men were well below-par, yet claimed a point from League Two's best travellers this season.

Taking four points from two difficult games, the omens aren't bad, but Quakers will only get away with it for so long and Oxford United may not be as forgiving at the Kassam Stadium this weekend.

Last night's draw means Hodgson's men have now gone nine games unbeaten at home - their best run since the 1999/00 campaign when they reached the play-offs.

"Grimsby played to their strengths, which are set-play's and long throws," said manager David Hodgson.

"I never once thought they would break us down with general football.

"We dealt with that and I'm really pleased with the lads tonight.

"We played some really good football, but we couldn't seem to take that into the final third tonight.

"There was a little bit more urgency from us in the second half and overall I'm happy with the result."

Darlington fans were relieved to see Kasper Schmeichel taking his place in the starting XI last night. There were fears Quakers' goalkeeper jinx had struck again after the 19-year-old turned on his ankle on Monday morning.

In a freak accident before training, Schmeichel slipped during a game of badminton.

But, after impressing on his debut against Peterborough, Schmeichel made his second start.

Quakers were further boosted by the news Kyle Lafferty passed a late fitness test after picking up a dead leg during Saturday's 2-1 win over Peterborough.

The on-loan Burnley forward scored his second goal in as many games with the late winner at the weekend.

Despite returning to the side to make his first start of the season against Peterborough, David McGurk was omitted from Hodgson's starting line-up, replaced by Shelton Martis - available again after serving a one-match ban three days earlier.

On Saturday Hodgson admitted his side were fortunate not be more than a goal down. Last night, the Quakers boss must have been wondering how they were still on level pegging after another unfulfilling opening 45 minutes against the Mariners. To add to their woes, skipper Matt Clarke was replaced on the stroke of half-time by McGurk after suffering a suspected fractured cheekbone.

With three minutes played Andy Parkinson failed to trouble Schmeichel when, after finding space on the edge of the Quakers area, the midfielder could only shoot over the bar.

Grimsby, with a staggering eight wins from 12 on their travels this season before last night, started brightly and Paul Bolland was the next to test the Quakers rearguard, but like their first effort, the Mariners failed to find the target.

And, after the home side failed to clear Tom Newey's corner convincingly, Gary Jones could only send his effort over the bar from 12 yards out.

With no recognised substitute goalkeeper on the bench, there was a scare for Grimsby in the 14th minute when Steve Mildenhall landed awkwardly after a challenge with Matt Clarke. But, unlike the predicament Quakers found themselves in at Notts County recently - when midfielder Phil Stamp was in goal for 45 minutes - Grimsby were relieved to see Mildenhall get to his feet.

Like Saturday, Quakers were once again slow out of the starting blocks as Grimsby dictated play in the opening exchanges. Only the improvisation of Schmeichel kept the aerial threat of Grimsby giants Rob Jones and Paul Futcher - both towering at 6ft 7ins - to a minimum from set-pieces.

But, it was the home side who came closest to breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes when Paul Hopkins saw his near post header cleared off the line from Joe Kendrick's inswinging corner.

Grimsby ended the half just as they started, in control against a lacklustre Darlington side, and only a goal-line clearance from Ryan Valentine prevented the visitors from taking a deserved lead.

Quakers had a little more about them after the interval and McGurk, with a knack of being in the right place at the right time, headed just wide of Mildenhall's goal in the 52nd minute.

And, after a patient build-up, Ryan Valentine, perhaps aware the Welsh FA were represented at last night's game, volleyed first time into the arms of Mildenhall.

At the other end, a rare lapse by Schmeichel caused some panic in the Quakers box when the teenager spilled the ball under pressure from substitute debutant Junior Mendes. And, when the ball fell out to Gary Jones, his attempted lob fell back into the grateful arms of Schmeichel.

And, in the 83rd minute there was another major let-off when Gateshead-born Rob Jones - on trial at Darlington two seasons ago - saw his header bounce off the top of the crossbar