Darlo defied the odds to record a magnificent morale boosting victory at the Don Valley Stadium.

The Darlo fans who had suffered the dreadful 5-0 defeat at Torquay in Quakers' last game were rewarded with two second half goals, although Rotherham launched a late fightback to keep everyone on the edge of their seats - and eight minutes added on time didn't help their nervous system!

Manager Steve Staunton fielded only four players who were part of the Torquay debacle, and gave four of his January signings a debut. The qualities that were missing to an extent pre-Christmas, were there in abundance - passion, determination, commitment - while the players showed plenty of composure when the chips were down late in the game. They certainly defied the pre match 10/1 odds that the bookies were offering for a win against a team that hadn't lost at home in the league this season.

There were some encouraging signs for Darlo in the opening minutes as they started better than their promotion chasing hosts. Tadgh Purcell, who looked quick and strong until he was subbed in the second half, was put through on the left hand side, and from an acute angle Rotherham keeper Andy Warrington saved his shot at the near post.

And on 20 minutes Mor Diop put Jeff Smith through, but the left winger fired straight at the keeper from the edge of the box.

Rotherham, who justlike Darlo hadn't played since December 12th, tried to respond, but too often their efforts to go through the middle were thwarted by the dominance of Ian Miller and Alan White, who made a welcome return to the Darlo defence.

There was a let off for Quakers on 38 minutes, when Kevin Ellison curled a corner into the Darlo six yard box from the left and the ball was forced over the line by Adam Le Fondre, but the ref penalised the former Rochdale striker for a foul on keeper Nick Liversedge.

Darlo have conceded goals just after half time on to many occasions this season, so it was a pleasing change to score at the other end. Two minutes after the break, Quakers stunned their hosts by taking the lead, when Purcell burst into the box from the left, and even though Diop was in a better position square of him, he kept on going and fired across Warrington into the bottom corner for a sparkling goal on his debut. Rotherham couldn't believe it, and neither could their fans, who started to voice their disapproval at every mistake by the home team.

Gareth Waite, who had a good debut wide right, nearly headed a second from Jeff Smith's cross but the ball went just over the top.

Quakers had a touch of luck in their favour on the hour when Nicky Law got behind Stuart Giddings on the right and pulled the ball back across the six yard line, where Kevin Elliott fluffed his shot with the goal at his mercy.

But Quakers bounced back and added a second goal on 63 minutes. Waite played the ball infield to Diop, who wrongfooted the defence with some good footwork, and threaded the ball through for Gary Smith to turn past Waddington, his first goal for the club. The Darlo supporters raised the roof, the home fans booed loudly.

Rotherham, unbeaten at home so far in the league this season, responded by sending on former Darlo player Micky Cummins, and it was he who pulled a goal back on 78 minutes when Quakers didn't clear a corner, and he volleyed in from ten yards.

It's an understatement to say that the closing stages of the game were very nervous from a Darlo point of view. As expected, Rotherham poured men forward looking for an equaliser. Cummins pulled another effort across the face of goal, Pablo Mills headed over, and there were a couple of frantic scrambles.

There were some surprised exclamations when the fourth official signalled that there would be six minutes of added time. Six minutes stretched to eight, and with everyone from Darlo screaming for the final whistle, Rotherham got a last ditch corner, but the Darlo defence kept them out for a famous victory.