Will Hatfield was the hero as his fantastic free-kick helped Darlington earn a much-needed and deserved point at home to Brackley.

Having lost their first three matches, Quakers and boss Alun Armstrong were under pressure and they delivered with an improved showing, certainly in the second half when they were the better side.

They had to fight back from falling 1-0 down early on against a side that had begun the campaign with two wins and a draw.

Alfie Bates’ inswinging corner was met by Brackley’s former Tamworth striker Danny Newton, his free header from inside the six-yard box being his third goal of the season.

On his 100th appearance for the club, goalkeeper Tommy Taylor could do little to stop Newton’s goal, but there as to be question marks over Darlington’s static defending for the sixth-minute strike.

Darlington did little to hurt Brackley for the first half an hour, unable to break into their penalty area.

A hopeful punt forward by Jordan Mustoe was prodded by Andrew Nelson into Jacob Hazel’s path, but with his weaker right foot he failed to seriously test goalkeeper Danny Lewis.

Yet they levelled against the run of play and it was a spectacular goal that saw midfielder Hatfield mark his return from Fylde with a goal.

After Hazel was fouled, fans’ favourite Hatfield curled a free-kick from 22 yards into the top corner.

Thereafter Darlington finished the half stronger, and the built on it after the break.

Early in the second half Newton let fly from distance, but the ball rolled well wide and thereafter Darlington were the stronger side without scoring.

After meeting a Hatfield free-kick into the penalty area, Jake Lawlor’s towering header was scrambled away by Shep Murombedzi.

Quakers had Brackley under the cosh; only an outstretched Danny Lewis hand to tip Adriano Moke’s shot onto a post prevented Darlington going 2-1 up.

Moke had been recalled to the starting XI, replacing the benched Ben Liddle, while Kallum Griffiths also returned, with Jordan Windass named as a substitute.

Taylor reacted quickly to block Newton at close-range, saving his team-mates embarrassment after a misplaced pass in defence had cheaply conceded possession.

Another superb Lewis save stopped a Toby Lees header, and, although a flag was raised, the moment and encouragement from the Tin Shed underlined Darlington’s ascendancy - they looked most likely to be the game’s winners.

But Jassem Sukar’s senseless challenge on Murombedzi, fully deserving the red card shown by referee Shaun Taylor, changed Darlington’s outlook.

Reducing Quakers to ten men made it an anxious final 15 minutes plus added time, turning the team from looking good for victory to grateful for a draw.

James Armson header over the bar, but Darlington survived to take a much-needed point, which is something to build on for Alun Armstrong's side.

Darlington (3-5-2): Taylor; Lawlor, Lees, Sukar; Griffiths, Hatfield, Moke (Liddle 73), Platt, Mustoe, Hazel (Curry 90), Nelson (Felix 71). Subs not used: Windass, Salkeld

Brackley Town (3-4-1-2): Lewis; Carline, Dean, Gudger; Matwasa, Bates (O’Sullivan 22), Murombedzi; Armson; Calder; Newton, Crawford (Turner 75). Subs not used: Worby, Lyttle, Lilly

Attendance: 1,186