Injury-hit Darlington secured their first win of the season with a spectacular Will Hatfield goal giving them victory against Leamington, despite missing a host of chances.

A failure to be more clinical meant Quakers were unable to finish off weak opposition, who beat Spennymoor Town 3-1 last week but posed little threat at Blackwell Meadows.

Darlington’s single-goal margin proved enough, and is a notable victory given that Steve Watson was without five players.

With Cedric Main, Tom Platt and Joe Leesley already absent, Kallum Griffiths and Andrew Nelson joined them on the sick list today. Nelson expect to be involved at Curzon Ashton on Monday.

Watson gave a debut to loan signing Oli Thompson, who joined on Friday from Gateshead, and he made a fine first impression, attacking down the left and working hard to win the ball back.

Early on he combined well with Scott Barrow, advancing into shooting position and forcing Leamington goalkeeper Callum Hawkins into the first save of the day.

Patched-up Darlington enjoyed the bulk of possession and forced the next opportunity too, Matty Cornish flinging himself at the ball following a Ben Hedley free-kick into the penalty area, but his header rolled wide.

They finally took the lead just after the half-hour mark with a Hatfield bicycle kick. After left-back Barrow tried an optimistic right-footed effort from outside the penalty area, the ball fell nicely to Hatfield and he volleyed home.

Three times in quick succession Jack Maskell spurned headed chances. The first came in first half added time, when a Jarrett Rivers cross narrowly evaded the striker.

And early in the second half, Maskell was off target from crosses delivered by Cornish and Jarrett Rivers as Darlington’s domination continued.

Thompson had a low drive palmed away by Hawkins, and Leamington defender George Ward got a block in to divert a Thompson shot over the bar, while a Rivers chip landed on the roof of the net after substitute Cameron Salkeld led a counter attack.

Leamington threatened briefly as the match turned scrappy, with Ewan Williams having a long-range shot saved by Peter Jameson.

There was an odd decision by referee Lewis Dawson to book Maskell for challenging fairly with Rob Evans, a Leamington centre-back.

Worse was to follow when Leamington sub Jack Edwards escaped punishment despite raising his hands and sending Hatfield to the floor.

Dawson consulted the fourth official and an assistant referee, but instead booked Hatfield for a fracas with a Leamington player that had occurred prior to Edwards’ intervention.

The melee resulted in there being seven minutes of added time, during which Salked should have passed to an unmarked Maskell for a tap-in, but the missed opportunity did not affect the outcome with Darlington deserved winners.

Referee: Lewis Dawson

Attendance: 1,382

Darlington (4-2-3-1): Jameson; Hedley, Lees, Forbes, Barrow; Hatfield, Flint; Cornish (Salkeld 74), Rivers, Thompson (Payne 85); Maskell. Subs not used: McGrath, Andoh, Taylor

Leamington (4-1-4-1): Hawkins; Meredith, Ward, Evans, Quaynor; Doyle-Charles (Rowe 65); Shorrock (Edwards 65), Walker, Williams, Stewart; Lynn (Berridge 58). Subs not used: Streete, Elliott