As part of our 90s celebrations, we're looking back at the 1990-91 Fourth Division title winning season, thanks to the Darlo's on the Up.

With loan signing Mark Burke from Middlesbrough in the team, Quakers bounced back by beating Hereford United 3-1 on October 6th, thanks to a spell of three goals in 15 minutes. David Cork scored from a John Borthwick pass, former Aston Villa striker Burke made it 2-0 from a rebound after Steve Mardenborough’s shot was blocked, and then young Micky Trotter headed the third.

“The defeat of Hereford was as comprehensive as the score suggests. Fans come to Feethams these days expecting to win,” wrote Nick Helliwell.

“Great start for new boy Mark” wrote Neil Abbott in the Evening Gazette. Burke was priced at £300,000 the previous season, and didn’t figure in Colin Todd’s first team plans at Ayresome Park.

Brian Little said; “Hereford put us under some pressure early on, but I still felt we created the better chances in the first half.” However, Les McJannet and Kevan Smith picked up injuries. Darlo were fifth in the table after nine games, six points behind leaders Torquay.

That win put Quakers in great heart for the return Rumbelows Cup game at Swindon, but their optimism was destroyed in a 4-0 defeat. Gary Gill missed an early chance to maybe put the tie beyond reach, but Swindon fiercely hit back. Fitzroy Simpson put Swindon into the lead with a left foot shot on 15 minutes, then Kevan Smith turned the ball into his own net after the ball hit the post and then bounced into the goal off him. Shaun Close put Swindon level on aggregate just before half time, and then Alan McLoughlin scored the winner on 70 minutes after a mistake in midfield.

Kevin Dinsdale wrote in the Echo; “Quakers paid the price for an early miss by Gary Gill, which would have left the home side needing five goals.”

“It’s a long time since we were turned over like that, and we have to learn from the experience,” said Brian Little.

However, Quakers recovered quickly to beat Blackpool again, this time in the league by 2-1 at Bloomfield Road on October 13^th. John Borthwick headed Darlo in front from a corner, and after Blackpool equalised and then had Gary Briggs dismissed, Gary Gill headed the winner from a Frank Gray corner with three minutes left. “Quakers put Blackpool’s lights out,” was the Echo headline. “Worries that the 4-0 midweek mauling by Swindon might have dampened Darlington spirits were shortlived,” wrote Nick Helliwell. “Gill’s glory” said the Sunday Sun.

Brian Little, who used a 4-3-3 formation because Les McJannet was still injured, said; “We’ve played an away match and dominated for 60 to 70 per cent of the time. The only period that we looked in any trouble was when Blackpool were down to ten men.” Darlo were up to third in the table.

Quakers made it two successive away wins by coming away from Maidstone, who groundshared at Dartford, with a 3-2 win, even though they were 2-1 down with 18 minutes left. There was some debate about Dartford’s ground being suitable for Football League standard soon after Quakers were relegated in 1989 – raising hopes of a reprieve for Quakers at the time -- but the League waved the protests away.

Quakers were behind twice. Kevan Smith created the first equaliser with a good run out of defence and setting up David Cork who curled a right foot shot into the top corner, and for the second equaliser John Borthwick headed in an Andy Toman free kick.

Quakers got the winner with three minutes left, when Steve Mardenborough made a great run down the right and pulled the ball back for Andy Toman to score from a few yards.

Manager Brian Little said; “We’ve never mentioned promotion, but it’s not a taboo word. We want to be competitive and stay in the top eight. We have to be realistic, and remember that a couple of bad results could soon cause us problems. We had enough promotion talk last season to last us a long time.”

Ray Simpson wrote in the Echo; “In the days before Brian Little came to Feethams, Quakers would have lost a game like this.” Darlo were now second, seven points behind Torquay. David Corner missed the game because of a knee injury and there the possibility of an operation.

But then Quakers had a blip, failing to win for six league and cup matches.

Northampton, one of the promotion challengers, went away from Feethams with a 1-1 draw on October 23rd. Frank Gray scored from the penalty spot after John Borthwick was brought down, but tricky winger Bobby Barnes, bought by the Cobblers for £70,000 from Bournemouth, equalised after he dribbled through the Darlo defence.

“It looked easy for Quakers, one goal up and facing ten men until a solo run from Northampton’s £70,000 signing earned them a share of the points,” wrote Nick Helliwell in the Northern Echo.

Brian Little said; “I felt a second goal would have killed them off, but as often happens they grew in confidence the more frustrated we became.”

Quakers slipped up again in their next home game, a goalless draw against Scunthorpe on October 27th. Even though they climbed into second place, manager Brian Little said that he was disappointed. “We’ve taken eight points from the last twelve, and had the two wins been at home rather than away, everyone would have been happy,” he said. Mark Burke returned to Middlesbrough after his month’s loan, turning down the chance to make the move permanent.

“Second in the table and disappointed. That’s the strange predicament of manager Brian Little,” wrote Nick Helliwell the Echo. “Two successive home draws have meant a wasted opportunity to create some breathing space at the top of the table.”

“Darlington dropped more home points in a disappointing week which proves life is going to be more difficult back in the Football League,” said the Sunday Sun.

Their next game was against another team in the promotion fight, Rochdale, and Darlo came away from Spotland with a point in a 1-1 draw.

Steve O’Shaughnessy, who joined Darlo the following season, put Rochdale into the lead as the home side dominated the first half, and then Frank Gray went off injured, so David Geddis dropped to left back. However, O’Shaughnessy then lobbed the ball into his own goal for the equaliser.

Assistant manager Frank Gray said; “The first 45 minutes were the worst we’ve played this season.” Brian Little said; “We didn’t play well at all and got a gift goal. However, I was disappointed we didn’t win at the finish. We had some good chances, but the killer touch seems to be missing at the moment.”

Nick Helliwell wrote in the Echo; “Darlington used a huge chunk of their allocation of good fortune in the first half, the 1-1 half time scoreline being something of a travesty of justice.”

As champions of the Conference, Quakers then won the Conference Shield, beating Barrow 4-0 at Holker Street with goals by John Borthwick (2), Andy Toman and Steve Mardenborough.

That set up the first derby of the season against local rivals Hartlepool United, managed by ex Darlo boss Cyril Knowles, in front of a crowd of 5,713 at Feethams on November 10th, but Quakers finished on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline. Joe Allon scored in the first half, capitalising on a defensive mix up.

“We didn’t play too badly and we’re just lacking something in front of goal,” said Brian Little. “We’re creating chances and I don’t think there’s anything drastically wrong. One or two players have lost a little edge.” Darlo were now fifth in the table on 24 points, behind Burnley, Stockport, Northampton and Torquay. 17 year old Lee Ellison signed a pro contract and was on the Darlington bench.

“Hartlepool boss Cyril Knowles couldn’t hide his delight after his side snatched a shock win against one of his former clubs,” said the Sunday Sun.

“Perhaps Darlington should put a ‘Former managers not welcome’ sign at Feethams” said Nick Helliwell in the Echo, referring to the fact that former Darlo boss Dave Booth had returned with Peterborough earlier in the season and also won. “On both occasions, Darlington had most of the play and most of the chances.”

Quakers had enjoyed a good run to the FA Cup fourth round the previous season, but it wasn’t to be this time round. York City came to Feethams and gained a 1-1 draw on November 17th. Tony Canham put York in front, with Gary Gill equalising with a header. For the second time, though, York defender Nigel Pepper was dismissed for two bookable offences.

“Feethams’ second successive derby contained enough drama to launch a tv mini-series,” wrote Nick Helliwell. “City were by far the better side for two thirds of the game and should have won by two clear goals.”

The Sunday Sun said; “Darlington will be grateful for another chance to make progress in the FA Cup – because they looked to be on their way out for most of this thrilling game.”

Quakers lost the replay two days later at Bootham Crescent, Tony Canham scoring the winner seven minutes before half time.

There was talk of Chelsea and Aston Villa being interested in midfielder Gary Gill, and Brian Little said; “If they’re interested, our number’s in the phone book.”