Darlington suffered another setback when they held at home by Hayes & Yeading and needed a late equaliser to avoid an embarrassing defeat.

The visitors, a part-time outfit who had lost all four of their previous away matches this term, took the lead midway through the second half when Louis Soares scored after a swift counter-attack.

Hayes recorded a league double over Darlington last season and looked set for another victory at The Northern Echo Arena as they held the advantage until two minutes from time.

But then Darlington breathed a sigh of relief when substitute striker Ryan Bowman headed an equaliser.

However, had Mark Cooper's team taken one of a string of first-half chances the game's outcome would have been sealed by the break.

James Walshaw was the main culprit, missing three opportunities to put Darlington ahead. The first came inside the first 60 seconds, saved by Steve Arnold, and then the striker saw a 12-yard effort blocked by the keeper.

His third try came from the corner of the six-yard box, but with only the Arnold to beat Walshaw lifted the ball over the bar.

A more difficult opportunity passed Walshaw by too, when he rose to meet a Paul Arnison delivery that he headed off target, though he should probably left it for the better-placed Tadhg Purcell.

After returning to the club this week Purcell was making his first start as one of four changes as Cooper sought a reaction to consecutive 2-0 defeats.

Jamie Chandler and Aaron Brown returned while Marc Bridge-Wilkinson made his third start of the season and the play-maker was twice off target before the break.

Hayes & Yeading were not completely camped into their own half during the opening 45 minutes and they had two good chances of their own that Sam Russell saved.

Luke Williams saw a powerful effort from inside the penalty area beaten away, and Russell saved with his feet after Pierre Dubois turned Ian Miller.

Cooper revealed after the game that Miller is suffering with a virus and explained that was a factor in the absence from the squad of Liam Hatch and John Campbell. Jonatan Sanchez-Munoz was also ill and he was an unused substitute.

Darlington were not able to retain the same level of performance after the break. Their tempo dropped, they were unable to continue carving open the visitors' defence Cooper attempted to inject some life into proceedings, switching from 4-1-2-1-2 to 3-4-3 and sennding on Bowman on place Adam Rundle.

That saw Greg Taylor drop into the backline with Arnison and Brown on the flanks, but on 68 minutes Hayes got the break-away goal they had been hoping for.

After a stray Chandler pass conceded possession, Hayes swiftly countered and from a one-on-one position Soares rifled the ball beyond Russell.

The goal stunned the majority of the 1,809 attendance, though delighted the small band of 21 travelling fans who had seen their team score only once in four previous away games.

Cooper's last throw of the dice was to send on Michael Brough who was returning after a long injury lay-off.

And he was able to celebrate a goal on his return as on 88 minutes Bowman leapt, literally, to Quakers' rescue. After Bridge-Wilkinson played the ball out wide, Arnison swung in an inviting ball that Bowman headed past Arnold that meant Darlington had escaped what would have been a deeply embarrassing defeat.

The result takes takes down to 14th – their lowest position throughout last season was 13th – ahead of Tuesday's trip to York City.

Goals: Soares (68, 0-1); Bowman (88, 1-1)

Bookings: Rundle (51, foul); Collins (76, encroachment); Brown (86, foul)

Referee: Darren Handley (Lancashire)

Attendance: 1,809 (21 visiting fans)

Darlington (4-4-2): Russell; Arnson, Purkiss, Miller, Brown; G Taylor, Chandler (Brough 83), Bridge-Wilkinson, Rundle (Bowman 60); Purcell (Atkinson 72), Walshaw. Subs (not used): K Taylor, Sanchez-Munoz

Hayes & Yeading (4-4-2): Arnold, Argent (Mackie 90), John, Cadmore, Soares, Crockford, Dubois (Collins 71), Williams, Bentley, Pacquette (Wishart 71), Bayley. Subs (not used): Saville, Noble