Darlington continued their unbeaten start to the season and ended Rotherham United's. Goals from Pawel Abbott and substitute Gregg Blundell helped Quakers to their win with both strikers set up by the excellent Julian Joachim. Rotherham are expected to be challenging for promotion from Coca-Cola League Two come the end of the season but this result surely proves Darlington's promotion, not their opponents', credentials.

Quakers' boss Dave Penney expected this to be one of the toughest games of the season so far but his team brushed off Rotherham with few problems. Both goals, one in each half, were clinically taken and at the back the hosts rarely managed to open up their opponents. Darlington struck early on and whilst Rotherham threatened for spells a goal fifteen minutes from time wrapped up the points and silenced a vocal home support.

Rob Purdie occupied the left flank position at kick-off in place of Chris Palmer who was replaced by Neil Austin following a spell out of action due to an ankle injury. The visitors started the game brightly with Abbott charging up field straight from the off. Tommy Wright as usual proved a handful and early on he saw a shot from the edge of the area deflected wide for a flag kick.

The bright start continued and ten minutes into the contest Darlington found themselves in front. Abbott collected a clearance in the centre of the park and slid the ball out wide to Joachim who pressed forwards. Abbott timed his run to perfection and slipped onto the end of Joachim's pass to slot neatly past Andy Warrington and fire Darlington into the lead. The home side responded strongly with Andy Todd and Stephen Brogan having long range efforts. Derek Holmes then saw a shot blocked by skipper Steve Foster after quarter of an hour and moments later he was unable to steer a powerful header from Todd's cross under the cross bar.

Alan White turned in a very solid performance at the back alongside Foster but was unlucky on twenty-two minutes. His powerful challenge saw the ball somehow fly out wide to the right wing thanks to a wicked deflection where Todd smashed the ball past the wrong side of the post. With around ten minutes left of the first half Graham Coughlan was fortunate to stay on the pitch. Having been booked earlier in the half he crunched into Wright from behind and on another day could have been given his marching orders.

Holmes struck a sumptuous volley in first half stoppage time which was well kept out by David Stockdale as Darlington continued to soak up the pressure. The hosts continued to enjoy more of the possession after the break but couldn't find a way round the back of the Darlington defense to truly test Stockdale. Early on in the second period Rotherham forced a corner after the young Quakers' keeper appeared to be blocked and Marc Newsham shot wide. A few minutes later Danny Harrison shot powerfully over the bar.

Tim Ryan was posed a few problems down Rotherham's right had side in the form of Dale Tonge. Close to the hour mark the former Barnsley player lofted the ball over Ryan for Todd who miscued his shot as the ball bounced and Stockdale was able to collect with ease. Todd then lashed a shot over the bar as Darlington changed their forward line with the introduction of Blundell for Abbott.

It proved to be an inspired change as minutes after rising from the bench he headed Quakers into an unbeatable lead. Joachim was once again the instigator as he burst down the right side. His back post cross was superb and Blundell planted a firm header home past a flapping Warrington to silence the home crowd. With the volume inside Millmoor down a couple of notches Darlington had little trouble in seeing home the win and a few minutes after Blundell's headed strike Purdie cut inside from the left and curled a shot wide of the far post.

The win puts Darlington back at the top of the pile in the early season table and whilst there are still many games to play this performance was full of promising signs. Away from home Quakers could hardly have done anymore than what they did at Millmoor. It was an excellent showing on the road which saw the visitors keep things tight at the back and take their chances when they came along. A marathon and not a sprint it may well be but it is hard not to be excited all the same.

Rotherham: Warrington, Hurst, Brogan, Joseph, Coughlan, Harrison, Bean, O'Grady (Newsham 45), Holmes (Taylor 71), Todd (Duncum 82), Tonge. Subs: Cann, King, Newsham, Taylor, Duncum.

Darlington: Stockdale, Ryan, White, Austin (Miller 82), Foster, Cummins, Ravenhill, Abbott (Blundell 67), Joachim, Wright (McBride 90), Purdie. Subs: Oakes, Miller, McBride, Harty, Blundell.

Rotherham bookings: Coughlan.

Darlington bookings: Austin, Cummins, Ravenhill.

Goals: Abbott 10th min (1-0), Blundell 75th (2-0).

Report by Kevin Luff.