Two Grimsby Town substitutions in the space of half an hour told its own story as Darlington cruised to a comfortable away victory. The Mariners have struggled on home soil winning just once all season at Blundell Park and when Alan White headed Darlington into the lead after just two minutes the writing was on the wall for the hosts. Quakers were even allowed to miss some easy first half chances before Gregg Blundell added a second and the game was effectively over as a contest early in the second half.

The win ensures Darlington remained in touch with promotion rivals MK Dons at the top of the table and crucially gives Dave Penney's side a nine point cushion between themselves and the play-off chasing pack below seventh place. Quakers looked refreshed and energised following a ten day break from football and any worries of loosing momentum after the gap in the fixture list were quickly eased in the most effective way possible - goals.

Former Grimsby Town midfielder Ricky Ravenhill returned to the starting eleven whilst Blundell lined up alongside Tommy Wright at the front. Despite the change in the forward line it was a defender who set Darlington on their way. The visitors won an early corner kick which Rob Purdie dispatched onto the head of White who nodded past Gary Montgomery to celebrate his first goal of the campaign and the first for his home town club. The home side struggled from that moment on and Quakers should have added more goals to their tally before Blundell doubled the advantage on twenty-five minutes.

The easiest chance of the lot fell to on loan forward Richie Foran after ten minutes. Blundell cut inside from the right and crossed to the back post where Foran somehow managed to put the ball over the bar. Seven minutes later and Lee Ridley warmed the gloves of Montgomery with a stinging shot from the edge of the area. Soon afterwards Julian Joachim headed the ball into the path of Blundell deep in the area however the Grimsby keeper was alert and steamed off his line to divert the danger at the last moment.

Quakers finally added their second of the evening after twenty-five minutes. Joachim's cross was latched onto by Blundell who slotted home with ease to effectively put the game beyond their hosts. Grimsby's reply was to make the first of two substitutions with Andy Taylor coming off the bench for James Hunt and a few minutes later Sam Hird made way for Ryan Bennett. It did little to stem the flow and before half time Micky Cummins forced the Mariners' keeper into a good stop as Quakers finished the half in total control.

Five minutes into the second half Foran atoned for his earlier miss when he tapped in. Tommy Wright escaped down the left flank and crossed low however Montgomery pushed the ball clear but only as far as the feet of the Southend loan man who made no mistake. Town finally started getting back into the game as the second half wore on but in truth it was too little too late. Nick Fenton was denied by David Stockdale, who tipped his volley around the post however Quakers were always in control and kept their opponents at bay with plenty of hard work before Cummins completed the rout. Substitute Joe Colbeck came off the bench and crossed beautifully for the midfielder who looped a header over the Grimsby keeper for a deserved first goal of the campaign and to put an added shine on another deserved three points.

Grimsby: Montgomery, Hird (Bennett 31), Fenton, Atkinson, Newey, Till (Rankin 46), Bolland, Hunt (Taylor 26), Boshell, Toner, North. Subs: Barnes, Clarke, Rankin, Bennett, Taylor.

Darlington: Stockdale, Purdie, Foster, White, Ridley, Joachim, Cummins, Ravenhill (Austin 86), Foran (Colbeck 74), Blundell (Abbott 74), Wright. Subs: Oakes, Miller, Abbott, Colbeck, Austin.

Grimsby bookings: Boshell.

Darlington bookings: Foster, Blundell, Ravenhill.

Goals: White 3rd min (1-0), Blundell 25th min (2-0), Foran 50th min (3-0), Cummins 90th min (4-0).

Report by Kevin Luff