Darlington manager Dave Penney declared his satisfaction at getting off to a winning start. Quakers kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Wrexham at the Darlington Arena. The first game of the season can often throw up some unexpected results and with this in mind Penney was pleased to get off the mark at the first time of asking.

"The first game of the season you never know what it is going to throw up. Its red hot, energy sapping, the first game for the players and all that nervous tension of six weeks of pre-season building up to that point so any win on the opening day of the season you have to be satisfied with," said Penney. "You are never quite sure what is going to happen on the first day of the season. Sometimes you see some freak results."

Quakers have made a host of signings during the summer and handed debuts to six of their new recruits. The most significant changes have been in defence who put in a more than encouraging display keeping a clean sheet.

"I thought the back four were excellent and obviously the keeper came on and made a good save as well. It is important that we keep clean sheets because we know we have quality in the likes of Joachim to score goals like he did," said Penney.

Darlington goalkeeper Andy Oakes was sent off just after the hour mark with the score at 1-0. The shot stopper bought down Michael Proctor on the edge of the area and received his marching orders. Penney had few complaints about the decision and was delighted with David Stockdale who came on in goal and made a number of important saves.

"The lads are trying to say that he is off-side but I'm just delighted that it was outside of the box. I knew he was going to be sent off because the sub keeper jumped up and had his shirt on," said the Darlington boss. "We were really pleased with Stockdale. Like we've said many times we think that there is something there. He is only twenty-one, he is a good size, he can kick it and as proved today he can save it as well."

Despite the man disadvantage Darlington rounded off a good afternoons work with a superb goal from Julian Joachim. He burst through the middle and blasted the ball beyond the stranded Wrexham keeper to ensure that the hosts finished with all three points. The home side battled all the way through following the red card and showed real determination to bring the points in.

"I think it always will be when you go down to ten men. They all have to pull together and stick together. I was really pleased with Foster. Anything that came in the box he headed out. You could see when Kev (McBride) scored the first goal that they were all there. Its important for them to be together and to dig in and grind out a result when you go down to ten men," said Penney.