Darlington manager Steve Staunton is upbeat despite Tuesday's night defeat to Northampton Town. Quakers took the lead through Tadhg Purcell in the first half but second half goals from the visitors helped them to three points. Staunton though was pleased with the performance and wants to see his players maintain it during the coming weeks.

"I feel sorry for the players because they gave everything. I thought we played some good football and dominated for most of the game. We had some good chances and their keeper made a couple of great saves," said Staunton.

"As I said to the players that is the level of performance we want. I felt it was all there tonight. If we keep that going until the end of the season then who knows. We started on the front foot and kept it going. Apart from forty-five minutes against Crewe over the last three games I have been pleased with the level of performances."

"I just don't want to see what happened over the weekend at Crewe. I don't want us to play well for one game and then let the level of performance drop for half a game and then pick it up again."

Staunton continued: "This is the level and this is what we expect. Whether results go our way or not the level of performance has to stay the same. I don't think anyone could complain on what the players put into that game. We got crosses and shots in, controlled the ball and played some good football. Overall our allround performance was good but we just didn't get the break of the ball. If we keep going like that our luck will change."