Rotherham United 0, Darlington 2.

IT takes something special for a manager with Dave Penney's composed nature to get excited, so his reaction to Saturday's win at Millmoor was perhaps just as encouraging as the result.

When it comes to the media, the former Doncaster Rovers boss rarely gives much away.

But not even he could contain his elation after seeing his side return to the top of League Two.

The early signs, it's safe to say, are promising, and Darlington's five-match unbeaten start to the season culminated with what Penney felt was their best performance yet.

At this embryonic stage of the campaign it is far too early to make assertions about Darlington's fate come May, but what their first league win at Rotherham since 1989 has done is demonstrate their credentials.

Far too often in recent years have Darlington been talked up during the summer only to fail miserably in living up to their billing as early season promotion contenders.

But, whereas it's been a case of playing catch-up for the last three seasons as Quakers have narrowly missed out on a top seven finish, Penney's men have established themselves as League Two's pacesetters this time around.

And given the convincing manner in which Darlington secured victory on Saturday against another side tipped for promotion, Penney feels their latest win has sent out an early warning to their rivals.

"Hopefully people will now take note and think we've got a chance," he said. "Everyone said we were fancied and you've got to back that up with results. We've done that."

Penney felt that before Saturday's game Rotherham, relegated from League One last season, would provide Quakers with their most difficult test so far.

And, while that proved to be the case, the visitors showed professionalism in overcoming a physical Rotherham side.

"I think when you come to places like Rotherham you would probably take a point before the game," said Penney. "It's a tough place to come and get a win, but we had enough quality to come away with all three points.

"This game has probably brought the best out in us and I think it was our best performance over 90 minutes.

"Hopefully the tougher the games the better it brings out in us."

And that theory will be put to the test this month with Quakers facing three sides expected to be in the promotion mix - Lincoln, MK Dons and Peterborough United.

If Quakers are still in the automatic places come October, only then can they be considered as serious promotion contenders.

"To come here and win 2-0 is a fantastic result for us," said Penney.

"We knew we were going to have a hard September and that was a tough one out of the way.

"It's still early doors and we've only played five games. Of course I am delighted with the start we've made, with three wins and two draws and four clean sheets.

"It's a marathon as they say and not a sprint, there will be a lot of twists and turns I'm sure this season, but if we're in the same position come May I'll be delighted."

While Penney will look to the likes of Pawel Abbott for the goals to guide Quakers to promotion for the first time since 1991, captain Steve Foster could be the difference between success and failure this season.

Foster has been nothing short of immense since joining from Scunthorpe during the summer and the central defender again played a big part in securing Darlington's fourth clean sheet in five games.

And after nullifying early Rotherham pressure, Darlington silenced a lively Millmoor crowd through Abbott in the tenth minute.

The 24-year-old showed a calm head to stab the ball past Millers goalkeeper Andy Warrington after running on to Julian Joachim's through ball.

And as early as Abbott's third goal of the season, Quakers were confident enough to defend their lead in the first half, led by Foster.

David Stockdale was called upon on a couple of occasions but his saves from Derek Holmes and Stephen Brogan were comfortable.

On the few occasions the Quakers defence was breached, finding the target proved difficult for the home side.

First Andy Todd fired into the side-netting, then with half-time approaching Marcus Bean could only head over.

But, it was after a rare lapse from goalkeeper David Stockdale that Rotherham came closest to scoring.

After failing to collect a cross, under pressure from Todd, Stockdale flapped at the ball before Alan White was able to hack away.

Rob Purdie should have put the result beyond doubt when he headed Joachim's cross wide.

However, substitute Gregg Blundell made sure of the points in the 76th minute, turning his header past Warrington from another Joachim cross.