Five games unbeaten, the best run of form since Dave Penney's arrival and the end of the glorious run which heralded his introduction to the Darlington hotseat, was increased to six games with three points at Bristol Rovers in an entertaining affair. Both sides needed a win to keep their play-off hopes intact and two goals in either half, both with a degree of good fortune about them, gave the visitors those points.

Having served a three match ban for a red card at Bury Evan Horwood was restored to the starting eleven whilst Julian Joachim dropped to the bench as the three pronged forward line at Macclesfield reverted to Gregg Blundell, Alun Armstrong and Neil Wainwright.

The pair, playing their first game since Blundell's arrival from Chester City on transfer window deadline day, combined inside the first six minutes to put the visitors ahead with a somewhat fortunate goal. Armstrong flicked on for his strike partner who shrugged off his man and saw a low shot well blocked by Steve Philips only to see the ball rebound back towards him and pinball goalwards before being hooked into the net by the retreating Rovers' defence.

Four minutes earlier however the visitors were lucky not to be picking the ball out of their own net. Two minutes into proceedings skipper Clark Keltie stretched to keep the ball in down the flank in his own half and play it back to Lee Jones but instead gifted possession to Sammy Igoe. He picked out Andy Sandell who hit the bar with a well placed shot. The danger was not over though as the hosts kept the pressure on and went close clipping the upright but this time with Jones recovered and well placed.

Opportunities were plentiful at both ends of the pitch. A combination of wasteful finishing and some last moment blocks kept Darlington ahead going into the break. Richard Walker and Craig Hinton both missed excellent chances to drag Rovers level - Walker sending the ball over the bar after a right wing cross was headed down to him unmarked in the middle of the eighteen yard box. Hinton though was far more unlucky with a header superbly pushed over the bar by Jones who enjoyed one of his best games since arriving at the club from Blackpool.

Whilst the visitors defence was at times stretched so too was the hosts and it made for a very entertaining first period. A poor back pass allowed Blundell to pick up possession inside the eighteen yard box on thirty-seven minutes. Finding himself alone but at an acute angle he fed the advancing Armstrong but the former Middlesbrough forward's pace took him beyond the path of the ball and the chance went as Rovers sorted out their mistake. Three minutes before half time Armstrong appeared to put Quakers two up as he steered Horwood's low cross from the left goalwards but the ball somehow took a deflection to go behind for a corner kick.

Bristol Rovers predictably surged forward at the start of the second half with Jones called into action early on to push away a well taken freekick. Lewis Haldane, a half time substitute for Sandell, found space just inside the box but was again denied by another good stop from Jones who pushed the ball over his bar ten minutes into the second period. Jones was afforded more protection a few minutes later. Craig Disley latched onto a flick through the middle to seemingly race clear but Brian Close made an excellent challenge to halt his threat allowing Jones to pick up the loose ball in his own time.

Having taken the lead with a slice of good fortune Darlington were handed another with twenty-minutes left as Philips let an innocuous looking cross beat him to allow Penney's men double their advance. Michael Cummins had little to aim for when he crossed deep from the corner of the Rovers' box but the ball hit the upright and bounced in with Philips well placed to collect. The goal appeared to signal the end of the home side's ideas with Quakers keeping possession well but Disley's late goal restored some belief amongst the home support and four added minutes only added to this but Quakers held on for three valuable points. The win drags Darlington a little closer to the top seven pack but perhaps more importantly prevents the season from petering out.

Bristol Rovers: Philips, Ryan Green, Elliott, Carruthers, Igoe (Rigg 72), Campbell, Disley, Sandell (Haldane 45), Lambert (Nicholson 63), Walker. Subs: Nicholson, Lines, Haldane, Rigg, Mike Green.

Darlington: Jones, Close, Collins, Wheater, Horwood, Cummins (Rowson 88), Keltie, Ravenhill, Wainwright (Holloway 90), Blundell, Armstrong (Joachim 67). Subs: James, Holloway, Joachim, Russell, Rowson.

Bristol Rovers bookings: None.

Darlington bookings: Collins, Keltie.

Goals: Blundell 6th min (1-0), Cummins 69th min (2-0), Disley 87th min (2-1).

Report by Kevin Luff.