ON their two previous visits, Neasham Road has proved a happy hunting ground for Bristol Rovers.

They marked their first outing at Darlington's new home in 2003 with a 4-0 win and last season they left the North-East with all three points thanks to Junior Agogo's 77th minute strike.

And, for seven minutes on Saturday, there was a sense of deja vu when Agogo put Rovers one up.

But, Quakers are made of sterner stuff these days and, not for the first time this season, they demonstrated the kind of resilience, which could prove the difference between success and failure come May.

There may have been an element of good fortune when referee Nigel Miller pointed to the penalty spot after Kyle Lafferty was brought down in the box by Rovers keeper Scott Shearer. But, manager David Hodgson wasn't complaining when Simon Johnson kept his cool to level from the spot - the eighth penalty Quakers have scored this season.

Quakers have now come from behind on seven occasions - they have gone on to win two and draw five.

Perhaps the only negative to come out of Saturday's stalemate was that they conceded for the first time in five games.

The draw now means Quakers are unbeaten at home in 11 games - a run that stretches back to September when they were beaten by Oxford.

Back then Hodgson took the brunt of criticism from fans. Now, it seems, the Quakers boss can do no wrong.

But, rather than praise Johnson for his goal, or Shelton Martis for the last ditch challenge to prevent Rovers from restoring their lead late on, Hodgson felt the 4,579 crowd - the second highest of the season - played their part in extending Quakers' unbeaten run to six games.

"Once they scored I thought we were a little shell-shocked," said Hodgson. "The big, big plus was when they scored our fans come alive.

"That gave the lads out on the pitch the desire to go on and get something out of the game.

"When that happened I was really pleased because that's what I call good support.

"I thought we were the better side in the first half, although I don't think we deserved to be a goal or two up.

"We were in control, but we knew that there had to be more from Bristol in the second half.

"I think we deserved to get a goal in the game and there was a little spell where we had them pinned back. Once we scored the game was stretched.

"We wanted to get a second goal and Bristol were prepared to take a gamble.

"The pitch was shocking, the ball was bobbling all over the place, but I thought we dealt with it quite well."

Quakers travel to seventh-placed Peterborough tomorrow night, before entertaining Shrewsbury on Saturday. A crucial double-header, which could have a huge bearing on the remainder of Quakers' campaign.

Such is the tightness of the table, only three points separate Quakers from Notts County in 11th.

"We're more than capable of going down to Peterborough and winning," said Hodgson.

"It would have been nice going down there with a win under our belt, but we're sixth and I'm delighted.

"We have two massive games coming up and if we're still in the top seven this time next week, it will have been a job well done."

Hodgson will hope to have a new striker in before then, especially after watching his side waste several opportunities at the weekend.

Akpo Sodje was an awkward customer for the Rovers defence throughout, but his profligacy in front of goal was there for all to see.

First, the former Huddersfield striker swiped wildly at the ball from the edge of the area, only to see it trickle harmlessly wide. Then, as Quakers took a hold of proceedings, Sodje sent his next shot tamely into the arms of Shearer.

Clark Keltie followed suit, scuffing his shot straight at Shearer, while Martis came within inches of breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, heading Carlos Logan's corner off target.

But, the best chance of the half fell to Agogo. Evading once challenge down the left, the 14-goal striker found space in the box, before firing low at Sam Russell, who was alert in tipping around the post.

Quakers then had Martis to thank in the 53rd minute as Agogo was again denied by a superbly timed last gasp challenge.

Agogo made sure in the 68th minute. The pacey forward shrugged off Matt Clarke and his drive proved too powerful for Russell, who could only help the ball in with an outstretched glove.

But Rovers' lead proved to be short-lived as Consett official Miller handed Quakers a lifeline. As Lafferty twisted and turned in the box, Shearer raced out before clumsily catching the on-loan forward.

Johnson stepped up to calmly tuck the resulting spot-kick away.

Result: Darlington 1, Bristol Rovers 1.

Read more about the Quakers here.