Darlington fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Lewis Neal headed Shrewsbury in front after just two minutes. Quakers though took the game to their visitors and produced a stirring comeback to secure their first league win of the campaign.
From the moment Gary Smith's shot hit the woodwork in the first half Darlington looked like a totally different side to the one that has turned out for much of this campaign so far. They had purpose and presence and it continued into the second half for a richly deserved three points.
Quakers boss Steve Staunton handed a début to the on loan Simon Thomas. Meanwhile Jamie Devitt came back into the side having only made the bench for the previous outing at Dagenham & Redbridge. However Neal's header with barely two minutes on the clock could have been the cue for another long Saturday afternoon. Staunton's side though were not deterred by the early setback. They rolled up their sleeves and produced a hard working performance to turn the game back in their favour.
The hosts produced a few half chances but it was only after Smith's shot came back against the upright that they really got their teeth into Shrewsbury. The opportunity lifted the mood around the Arena and with the supporters behind them Darlington roared forward in search of a leveller. That of course eventually came. But had Jake Robinson not made a mess of his shot after being put clean through by Neal then Darlington's come back could have been buried before it even started.
On twenty-five minutes Devitt pulled Quakers level. There was a slice of good fortune about the goal but Darlington have been due a little luck for some time. His free-kick just outside the area hit the post but the ball hit the back of Steve Phillips to go over the line. The sense of relief was huge but the hosts were not done there.
Quakers got on top and just after the half hour mark another Devitt free-kick, this time for a foul on Thomas, from a similar distance flew just wide of the post. A corner kick saw Steve Foster head wide of the mark as Darlington continued to create the best openings.
Quakers were given a scare early in the first when Nathan Elder, a first half substitute, tried to run down a backpass to Hoult. The Darlington keeper keeper scuffed the ball up after Elder got a foot in but Hoult finally managed to hoist the ball clear of danger. Save for a final nervous few minutes it turned out to be only a small bump in an otherwise smooth road.
Staunton's men continued to have the bit between their teeth and took the lead on fifty-six minutes. Devitt's corner kick was stabbed goalwards by defender Ian Miller. Phillips somehow kept the ball out out but Thomas was on hand to finish off from close range.
The home side did not sit back after the goal. They continued to push forward in search of putting daylight between themselves and the visitors. A couple of minutes after the hour mark Kevin Gall's cross, which was looking for Thomas, went wide of the far post. A few minutes later the Palace forward was inches away from connecting with another Devitt free-kick from the left.
With fifteen minutes left Curtis main replaced Gall. Moses Barnett then fired a low shot across the face of goal that was just begging to be turned home. Quakers though had to survive a very late scare before they could celebrate. Elder released Andre Gray, who had come on for Kris Bright earlier in the second period, down the right. He kept going and managed to break into the box to send the ball past Hoult. Paul Arnison however came across to clear up and take the ball out of harm's way.
When the opening goal came it could easily have become the same old story. Every single player in a black and white shirt did their bit to ensure it didn't. Whilst there is still a big mountain to climb Quakers have at least made a start at trying to claw themselves out of the relegation zone.
