Darlington finally got their season off the mark thanks to a Kevin Gall strike after seventy-two minutes. The former Yeovil Town and Carlisle United striker fired in a low shot after a mistake by Drissa Diallo to cancel out Justin Richards opener. The equalising goal lifted the mood around the stadium and while Darlington came close to snatching a winner most will be pleased that Quakers have simply recorded their first point of the campaign.

Steve Foster returned to the heart of the Darlington defence after a two game absence. He replaced youngster Matt Plummer whilst forward Gall started up front alongside Dean Windass. Gall, who has previously enjoyed a spell on loan with Darlington, enjoyed a good game and thoroughly deserved his goal.

He was involved early on as Darlington started brightly. Gall's cross, after being set free by Windass, was scrambled clear and on seven minutes Nathan Porritt smashed a shot wide of the mark from twenty-five yards out. At the opposite end Cheltenham threatened through David Hutton. His free-kick and shot from distance asked some questions of Darlington. Porritt's cross for Gall should have seen the forward do better after eighteen minutes. His effort was sliced wide of the near post in what was a decent opening for the home side.

After just over half an hour though Darlington found themselves behind. Marley Watkins managed to find a way behind the Quakers' defence and he crossed low for Richards to score. Porritt tried to drag the home team back into contention but the goal seemed to drain some of the confidence from Darlington were suddenly became second best for a period.

It prompted a double change at the break by manager Colin Todd. James Bennett and Matty Plummer came on for Rikki Bains and Gary Smith. Quakers though could and should have gone further behind minutes into the second half. On fifty-two minutes Josh Low paced clear of the Darlington defence to get on the end of a long ball. His shot however was very tame and David Knight collected with ease.

Gall won Darlington a free-kick just outside the area which Windass sent narrowly wide. With twenty-minutes left Quakers made their third and final change of the afternoon. Opting for pace in the final third they threw on David Dowson in place of Windass and suddenly Quakers were in business.

Just two minutes after the change Gall fired a low, neat shot into the bottom corner after controlling the ball in plenty of space. The ball arrived from the right and Diallo missed his header to present Darlington and Gall with a brilliant chance.

The goal was a huge relief and quickly the match became a ragged encounter for a period. Darlington, now sensing what had seemed an unlikely victory when Cheltenham went ahead, had a couple of opportunities to break on their opponents. The game though settled back down but near the end Porritt and Dowson went closest as Darlington probed for a late winner. A draw however was about the right result.