Peterborough defender Mark Arber had not scored all season before last night, but his brace broke Darlington hearts at London Road last night.

Just hours after meeting his new team-mates, Andy Cooke had given Quakers a 27th minute lead after signing on loan from Bradford City yesterday.

However, any hopes David Hodgson's men had of extending their unbeaten run and strengthening their play-off aspirations were quickly ended by Arber - and an atrocious playing surface.

The centre half levelled on the stroke of half-time, before hitting his second of the evening with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

The defeat leaves Quakers in ninth after they were leapfrogged by Peterborough, while Cheltenham and Lincoln both recorded wins last night.

But, despite last night's result, Hodgson will not feel too downhearted after a battling display from his side. And, with mid-table Shrewsbury the visitors to the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena this week, Hodgson will see that as a perfect opportunity redress the balance at the top of League Two.

The inclusion of Cooke, for Akpo Sodje, was Hodgson's only change to the starting XI that drew on Saturday.

Neale McDermott, son of Newcastle coach Terry, was on the Quakers bench after joining the club on loan from Fulham.

On a surface with more bumps than a maternity ward - largely down to a pitch-sharing agreement with the local rugby side - Quakers were forced on the back foot in the opening exchanges.

Sam Russell saved comfortably in the fifth minute after James Quinn could only slice his effort straight at the Darlington keeper.

Quinn then showed good strength on the edge of the area, before turning and firing over the bar. But, for all the home side - with three out-and-out strikers - could throw into attack, Quakers, whose recent run has been built on a firm defensive footing, proved difficult to break down.

While Peterborough had Quinn, Carlos Logan was Quakers' danger man with his pace and trickery.

It was Harrison's howler that gifted the visitors a 27th minute lead. From a speculative long ball from the aptly named Ryan Valentine, Harrison flapped under pressure from Cooke, who picked up the pieces, before gratefully tapping into an empty net.

With half-time approaching Peterborough drew level through Arber. After Danny Crow weaved in and out of several challenges on the edge of the Quakers box, the ball dropped to Arber, who struck his effort first time into the top corner of the net.

Russell was in the right place at the right time to save from substitute David Farrell's close range header in the 73rd minute but could do little about the winner two minutes later. with Arber free in the box to fire low into the bottom corner.

Peterborough United 2 - 1 Darlington

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