A GOAL from the recalled Junior Mondal and a second career strike from George Smith finally gave Darlington a much-needed victory over Chester at the fourth time of asking this season.

Quakers came from behind to end a run of four straight defeats, which keeps their hopes of mounting a late push for the play-offs alive. It was also their first win over Chester this season, having lost to them in an FA Cup replay and drawn with them in the league.

Manager Alun Armstrong said: “I thought we thoroughly deserved to win, and the fans appreciated that the players worked ever so hard.

“Chester’s goal in the first half knocked the confidence out of our lads, but they dug in and deserved to win. They could have crumbled, so I was pleased for them.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re still miles away from where we want to be, and that’s down to confidence. You can see that the confidence is shy when it comes to the final third of the field.

“There was a little bit of deja vu with Chester away. We led 2-0 at their place earlier in the season, but could have been 4-0 up before they scored twice late on. I was heading and kicking every ball. I wanted the result for the fans to give them a big lift – that result has been a long time coming.

“We’ll keep battling away, we’re a work-in-progress. When you lose your best players it isn’t easy, so I’ve got to find another Luke Charman somehow.”

Former Boro striker Mondal was recalled from Northern Premier League club Marske, and his return was quickly justified as he was on the scoresheet within half an hour.

“Junior scored six goals in six games for Marske, and so I had to bring him back,” said Armstrong. “He went out and did what I wanted him to do. He’s been a breath of fresh air, and his workrate on top of his goal was fantastic. He was hurting the opposition by making runs behind them with his pace – we’ve not had that in recent games. He’s brought some impetus to the frontline.”

Full-back George Smith scored with a left-foot shot, which was reminiscent of the winner that Mark Barnard, a guest of the club on Saturday, scored a famous FA Cup win over Burnley back in 1998 at the Riverside.

“George is a frustrating one,” said Armstrong. “Everyone can see how much pace he’s got, and we want him to get forward as much as he can. Hopefully, that will give him a lift.”

Quakers started promisingly, but Chester midfielder Declan Weeks hit a low shot that Quakers keeper Tommy Taylor couldn’t hold, and Marcus Dackers followed up to score.

But within five minutes Quakers were level. Jake Cassidy chased a ball by Ben Hedley down the right, turned quickly and put the ball into the near post where Mondal sneaked in to flick past Chester keeper Will Stanway.

Weeks almost restored Chester’s lead at the other end but Taylor touched his dipping shot over the bar.

With the wind behind them, Quakers started the second half well with Mondal and Jarrett Rivers both going close.

Jack Lambert worked his way into the box and forced Stanway into a fingertip save, before Quakers got the winner on 57 minutes.

Mondal played the ball out to the left for Lambert to tease the Chester defence, and then roll the ball to his left for the overlapping Smith to strike a sweet left-foot shot past Stanway.