Darlington looked to have gained a point at fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons however a late header from Drissa Diallo saw Quakers concede not only their first away goal of the season but also come away from a game for the first time without at least a point to their name. Quakers' excellent start to the campaign was always going to come under scrutiny at Stadium:MK and so it proved however with just moments left it appeared as if Darlington would come away with a point.

Jude Stirling's long throws had been dealt with for the majority of the match but one final last gasp chuck into the box reaped dividends for the home side as Diallo, who had twice seen headers go close earlier in the game, nodded home to give his side three points. It was a frustrating end to an otherwise organised defensive showing which showed all the now trade mark characteristics of a Darlington defense. The rock solid back line remained unchanged. On-loan Ian Miller continued at right back whilst in midfield Ricky Ravenhill continued and would have been instructed by manager Dave Penney to give Keith Andrews as little space as possible.

The Dons' skipper had scored six times prior to the game including two against Brentford last weekend but found chances hard to come by, especially during the opening forty-five minutes. The opening period provided little of real note. Darlington's defence gave little away as Steve Foster and Alan White once again headed everything out. The same was true at the opposite end with Sean O'Hanlon and Danny Swailes giving little change to Pawel Abbott and Tommy Wright.

The only real chances of any meaning was a shot by Dean Lewington which was deflected behind for a corner kick. Lloyd Dyer was nearly presented a chance after fourteen minutes following some loose control in the Darlington eighteen yard box. The MK Dons' number eleven however was unable to take advantage. The home side continued to enjoy more possession but finding a chink in the Darlington armour was proving difficult. A typically committed challenge from Ricky Ravenhill on twenty-five minutes saw the home side temporarily reduced to ten men when O'Hanlon was forced off briefly with a head injury.

Minutes later the Dons had their two best chances of the half. Dyer showed good pace down the left and crossed to the back post where Aaron Wilbraham tamely poked wide. Leon Knight then showed good footwork on the edge of the Darlington area and slid a low shot just wide with Stockdale caught flat footed. As the first half wore on the Dons continued to see more of the ball but the Darlington defence was as solid as ever. Lewington saw another shot from distance take a deflection but this time Stockdale was equal to it and caught the ball firmly.

Following the Dons' handful of chances the game returned to being one with few openings with Darlington coming back into the possession stakes as the first half drew to a close. The opening period had provided little to talk about. Chances had been very limited however, Darlington would have been happy enough with their efforts as they again proved difficult to break down. The Dons started the second half brightly as they looked to up the pace of the game with Stirling sliding the ball to Knight whose cross from the right was too high. Minutes later Miller had to slide in to prevent Stirling a run at goal.

Five minutes into the second half the Dons won another corner kick. Lewington's ball in found Diallo who saw his firm header easily caught by Stockdale. Andrews then saw a low shot go harmlessly wide moments later as he sought his seventh goal of the season. The opening stages of the second period had seen more action than the entire first half.

As the match passed the hour mark things threatened to boil over. Wilbraham clearly elbowed White as he passed behind the defender. Premiership referee Andy D'Urso failed to spot the incident but did see White shove the forward afterwards. White was booked for his troubles as the crowd sought a red card. It was perhaps a somewhat lenient decision from the official who would have been within his rights to send White off however the same was true of Wilbraham who could have been given his marching orders for an obvious foul.

With twenty minutes left the fierce drive of Lewington was superbly tipped over by Stockdale whilst at the other end Quakers briefly posed a handful of questions but were unable to really trouble Willy Gueret. The home side continued to probe for an opening goal. With a little under quarter of an hour left a long throw into the box from Stirling was headed wide by Diallo. Foster again proved his worth at the back with a superb block and a timely interception deep in the area.

Wilbraham's chip to the back post appeared to signal the end of MK Don's ideas. Andrews steamed in to the ball at the back post but some how the ball stayed out with the midfielder lying in a heap behind the goal line. The Dons though had one last throw of the dice, quite literally, when Stirling chucked the ball long and high into the box. Darlington had defended the threat so well for the entire game but Diallo found some rare space in the box to head his side in front right at the death.

MK Dons: Gueret, Stirling, Lewington, Andrews (Edds 86), Diallo, O'Hanlon, Knight (Johnson 69), Dyer (Smart 76), Wilbraham, Navarro, Swailes. Subs: Edds, Howell, Smart, Johnson, Abbey.

Darlington: Stockdale, Ryan, White, Foster, Miller, Cummins, Abbott (Blundell 69), Purdie, Joachim, Ravenhill, Wright (Keltie 87). Subs: Oakes, Keltie, Blundell, Harty, Palmer.

MK Dons bookings: Knight.

Darlington bookings: White, Wright.

Goals: Diallo 89th min (0-1).