After notching eight goals in their past two games, the bumper crowd at the Balfour today could be forgiven for expecting a rip roaring encounter with the division's fellow in form side But a fifteen minute delay to the kick-off provided the tip of the iceberg in a forgettable first forty-five that says as much about the standards and expectations Dave Penney's side have set themselves than just an under-par start top the game.

Going into the break Rotherham held a slender but deserved one goal advantage after Chris O'Grady seized upon some uncharacteristically lacklustre and indecisive defending to place past David Stockdale's out stretched hand and into the bottom left corner.

It was the first goal conceded by the mercurial Darlo defence for three games, and the first to go past Stockdale on home turf since the 2-2 draw with Notts County way back in mid August. Rotherham epitomised the mentality required to reap rewards in the generally diabolical League Two.

Organisation and strength their most prominent allies Derek Holmes masterfully took on the role of the traditional target man complimenting the nippy O'Grady sweetly, neatly and tidily supported by two rigid lines of four in defence and midfield, all big and strong led capably by veteran Graham Coughlan and once Quaker target Marc Joseph.

These qualities combined to give Steve Foster's defence a work out as rigorous as they've experienced on home soil this campaign, Alan White typically hearty in clearing a number of awkward balls, partly from Darlington's left which provided a source of endless trouble in the first half, in the early stages.

But despite enjoying more of the ball the Millers, like so many, failed to rouse any heart stopping fear in the Darlington defence who, even though quite scrappily at times, marshalled any balls in to safety.

In fact the presently preditorial Quakers should well have been at least a goal if not two, up before O'Grady's 36th minute strike broke the deadlock. Gregg Blundell continued to look the part as his purple patch continued expertly playing off the shoulder and twice found himself one on one, but Andy Warrington twice spread himself well to block out Blundell's attempts, redeeming himself on the second of these occasions after his stray goal kick let Julian Joachim play in Blundell down the right flank.

However paradoxically just before the break the Quakers twice were lucky after basic sloppy play gifted Mark Robbins' side two gift wrapped opportunities. First indecision by White required former Scunthorpe pairing Foster and Lee Ridley to mop up in the six yard box and then Tommy Wright and Micky Cummins were at crossed purposes as Lincoln's goalscoring hero lost the ball in the middle of the park requiring Ridley to force the play wide and concede a corner with three versus three at the back.

Not to worry, this Darlington defence has a steel and resolve not witnessed for some years and despite a disappointing start an air of optimism remained brimming on Boxing Day. Pawel Abbott and Neil Austin presented two necessary changes just after the break on for Wright and Ridley and after an awkward ten to fifteen minutes the deadlock was regained.

With a little over twenty minutes left to play the recent architect within the ranks, Blundell, exploded down the left before nipping a ball into the ensuing Cummins who nicked the ball over Coughlan before composing himself to fire his own assist past Warrington. It's taken nearly a season and a half for the former Port Vale man to present his talents to justifiably sceptical fans but he is laying it on with a shovel at the moment.

An elastic stretch to his left saw Stockdale ensure the scoreline remained just after the equaliser finger tipping Holmes' downward header around the outside of the post and some resilient and heroic clearing against the might of Rotherham's set-piece battalion offered distinct significations that Darlington were not going to let this position slip out oif their control.

Indeed it was Darlington who looked the most likely victors in the finale, with both Foster, Richie Foran and Cummins' blistering goalbound half volley threatening to test Warrington. A spate of corners had the Millers on the back foot, Blundell drilled across goal but somehow the ball evaded a forest of unsuspecting home and away feet. With five minutes to go and Joachim weaved through a blockade of yellow jerseys to tee up Abbott but his thunderbolt cannoned back off the bar with Warrington beaten whilst the galloping Foran was inches from connecting to the ball back across goal.

Darlington: Stockdale, Purdie, White, Foster, Ridley (Austin 54), Joachim, Keltie, Cummins, Foran (Ravenhill 89), Blundell, Wright (Abbott 54). Subs: Oakes, Miller, Abbott, Ravenhill, Austin.

Rotherham: Warrington, Joseph (Tonge 81), Sharps, Coughlan, Brogan, Ross, Mills, Danny Harrison, Derek Holmes (Taylor 90), O'Grady, Newsham. Subs: Oxley, Todd, Hudson, Tonge, Taylor.

Darlington bookings: Ridley, Foran.

Rotherham bookings: Sharps.

Goals: O'Grady 36th min (0-1), Cummins 68th min (1-1).