Darlington dropped their first points of the season as they were twice pegged back by Notts County, the second occasion deep into stoppage time. Substitute Ian Miller appeared to have given Quakers all three points following Tommy Wright's first half opener but on both occasions the visitors replied through Richard Butcher as they grabbed a share of the spoils.

Dave Penney made just one change to the side that saw off Accrington Stanley 3-0 the previous weekend. Midfielder Mickey Cummins replaced Ricky Ravenhill thanks to a hamstring strain suffered in the victory at the Fraser Eagle Stadium. At the back Alan White kept his place in the team as his old employers came to the Darlington Arena looking for their first win of the season having drawn their opening two games.

Quakers enjoyed the better of the first half period and on six minutes nearly found themselves in front. Wright set up Kevin McBride who saw his low shot pushed onto the post by experienced goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington. Wright forced the loose ball over the line but the referee decided that the forward had fouled Pilkington in the process. Ten minutes later the incident repeated itself. Chris Palmer's cross was put onto the crossbar by defender Adam Tann. Darlington forward Pawel Abbott dived in to follow up but he was adjudged to have used his had in knocking the ball over the line and was booked.

County threatened on seventeen minutes when David Stockdale failed to collect a loose ball under pressure. Butcher reacted first but his lob ended up on the roof of the net. The first half however belonged to Darlington and Cummins called Pilkington into action following good work from Wright. Cummins then saw a low drive blocked by the Magpies defence. Five minutes from the break Darlington's first half efforts were rewarded as they opened the scoring.

The blooming partnership between Abbott and Wright again paid off. Quakers' £100,000 summer signing from Swansea shrugged off the tackles on the left of the area as he squared the ball for Wright to smash home unmarked. It was Wright's second league goal of the campaign and his work rate meant it was a fully deserved one as well.

After enjoying the better of the first period Darlington lost their way in the second half as the visitors enjoyed far better of the game - no doubt prompted by a kick up the rear by manager Steve Thompson. Early signs though were good from Darlington with Rob Purdie showing why he is proving so popular amongst supporters with a surging run forward which saw him felled twenty-five yards out. The free-kick, dispatched by Tim Ryan, was powerful and on target but Pilkington turned the ball over for a corner kick - amazingly the first of the game.

Just before the hour mark the visitors introduced Andy Parkinson for Spencer Weir-Daley and it was a substitution which would have a big impact on the game. Parkinson was involved in starting a move that led to a free-kick twenty-yards out. Ryan headed the free-kick away but Lee Canoville latched onto it and drilled a twenty-yard effort inches past the post.

Parkinson's pace was causing problems and with just over fifteen minutes left he helped County to an equaliser. Parkinson's tight control and cross flew across the six yard box and Butcher turned home.

Prior to the Magpies' lead stealer Darlington introduced Neil Wainwright who helped his side back in front with five minutes left. The winger's low drive was turned for a corner by Pilkington. Wainwright took responsibility and when the ball was played back to him he delivered a perfect cross for substitute Miller, who came on for McBride, to head over the line before County could clear the ball. Quakers though were to be denied and deep into the four minutes of injury time poor defending cost the home side as they hit panic stations and allowed Butcher to volley home a second to give the visitors a point in an entertaining encounter.

Darlington: Stockdale, Ryan, White, Foster, Cummins, Abbott (Blundell 80), Purdie, Joachim, McBride (Miller 80), Wright, Palmer (Wainwright 64). Subs: Oakes, Harty, Blundell, Wainwright, Miller.

Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville (Silk 77), Tann, Hunt, McCann, Smith, MacKenzie (Somner 82), Butcher, Mayo, Weir-Daley (Parkinson 59), Dudfield. Subs: Sandercombe, Sam, Somner, Silk, Parkinson.

Darlington bookings: Abbott.

Notts County bookings: Smith.

Goals: Wright 40th min (1-0), Butcher 72nd min (1-1), Miller 85th min (2-1), Butcher 90th min (2-2).

Report by Kevin Luff.