Darlington can be happy with a point from a battling display against Blyth at Blackwell Meadows, but they could have picked up all three.

As a defensive unit, Quakers were much more solid than of late as they achieved only their second clean sheet of the season.

And if it wasn’t for a couple of good saves by Blyth keeper Andy Mitchell, then they would have secured only their second win of the season.

Wary of conceding an early goal as they did in their last home game, Quakers defended well in the opening stages, with new signing Kieran Burton looking impressive at the back.

Keeper David Robson was also very alert in goal, and his confident handling helped him hold on to a left wing cross from Jack Bodenham.

Quakers nearly took the lead after 19 minutes when Will Hatfield crossed from the left for debutant Jim Simms to put in a glancing header which went just wide of the right hand post.

Despite having more possession and knocking the ball around well, Blyth never really threatened until the half hour when Will McGowan worked his way into the box, and his shot took a deflection before Robson held on to the ball.

Quakers made a sub at the start of the second half, new signing Hayden Lindley becoming Darlington’s third debutant of the night.

They nearly scored on 47 minutes when Ngandu floated a free kick over, and Burton headed just over.

A few minutes later, they went even closer when a deep free kick by Hatfield dropped for Jake Lawlor, and his strike towards the bottom corner seemed to be going in, until Mitchell managed to push the ball away.

Blyth responded with a curling effort by McGowan that Robson confidently held on to, while at the other end Ngandu’s curling free kick was held on the line by Mitchell.

But then Blyth had a good spell, which saw them win two free kicks on the edge of the box in dangerous positions, but on both occasions the defensive wall blocked Deverdics’ efforts.

Quakers kept working hard up to the final whistle, and they’ll be hoping to build on this at home against Spennymoor Town on Saturday.