Darlington FC

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• Founded:1883
• Manager:Mark Cooper

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Quakers break their duck

17 Oct 2009 - 17:09:38

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Steve Staunton's rallying cry had the desired effect as Darlington's long wait for a first League Two victory of the season arrived in the new manager's first home game in charge of the Quakers.

The former Republic of Ireland boss arrived at the Northern Echo Arena earlier in the month and urged his players to put their dismal start to the season behind them.

They did just that as Jamie Devitt equalised Lewis Neal's opener for visiting Shrewsbury Town before Simon Thomas bagged a priceless 56th-minute winner for the north-east club and a relieved Staunton.

Elsewhere, Danny Hollands' 76th-minute winner kept Bournemouth at the top of the table after they edged out Accrington Stanley 1-0 on the road.

Dagenham & Redbridge remain in hot pursuit in second place after a 2-1 win over Bradford City. Goals from Paul Benson and Abu Ogogo either side of a reply from Michael Flynn earned the points for the Daggers.

Third-placed Rotherham United and Notts County in fifth spot shared the spoils after a goalless draw at the Don Valley Stadium.

Caretaker manager Jason Dodd's Aldershot Town reign began in positive fashion after Dave Winfield fired them into a ninth-minute lead at home to Bury.

The Shakers - the first team to face the Shots since Gary Waddock left to take over at League One Wycombe Wanderers - were back on level terms in the 39th minute through Brian Barry-Murphy.

Louis Soares for the Shots and Stephen Dawson for the visitors traded goals before Efe Sodje's 76th-minute effort settled an end-to-end game 3-2 in favour of Bury.

Spurs loanee Jacques Maghoma's eighth-minute strike and a 78th-minute second from Ryan Austin allowed Burton Albion to move level on 21 points with opponents Barnet.

Morecambe squandered a lead to draw 2-2 with Torquay United at Plainmoor. Wayne Carlisle's second-half strike earned the struggling Gulls a share of the spoils.

Grimsby Town also remain in the lower reaches of the table after losing 2-0 at home to high-flying Rochdale.

Adam Rundle's first-half goal and a late second from Chris O'Grady sent Dale up to third place in the table.

Steve Guinan's 72nd-minute effort was enough for Northampton Town to edge out Lincoln City at Sixfields.

Hereford United pulled away from the drop zone after continuing their resurgence with a 1-0 win over Chesterfield. Ryan Valentine's 58th-minute penalty separated the sides at Edgar Street.

Improving Port Vale fought back from one down to win 2-1 at Crewe Alexandra courtesy of goals from Marc Richards and Kris Taylor.

On Friday evening, Macclesfield Town were 2-1 winners over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.