Darlington manager Martin Gray admitted that Quakers weren’t at their best in the 2-1 win over Mickleover Sports on Saturday.

Quakers stayed on top of the table thanks to their fourth win in their last five matches, but the standard of their performance was below the 4-0 victory over Workington in midweek.

“We’ve had a very tough last three or four weeks,” said MG. “There have been a few midweek games, a lot of travelling, and a lot to get through.

“Bearing all that in mind, it was a fantastic three points. The important thing was, that we didn’t fire on all cylinders and came out on top.

“I was delighted with the way that the team showed their character, and threw their bodies in the way to stop Mickleover from equalising.

“If we’d scored another at 2-0, then it would have been game over, but they got a goal back and they had something to aim for.”

Quakers now have a free week, and their next game is at home to Mossley from the First Division North on Saturday in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.