Darlington skipper Phil Turnbull says that Quakers’ season has just begun following the 3-1 home win over Harrogate on Boxing Day.

Quakers stopped their slide down the table with their first win under manager Tommy Wright and their fifth home league win of the season to put them 17^th in the table.

Harrogate were second in the table going into the game, but that didn’t concern the players.

“We knew before the game, that we had dropped to third bottom of the table because of Nuneaton’s win,” Phil said.

“WE all got together into a huddle before the game, and I said that a new season starts here and that we had to win. We have got to possess the mentality that we mustn’t lose.

“If we are determined to keep a clean sheet, then we’re always capable of nicking a goal from a setpiece, just as we did for the second goal.

“We really did the business in the game, but we need to do that in every game over the rest of the season, because there are some difficult games ahead, so there will have to be a lot of fighting.”

The team’s determination to defend at all costs came to the fore, and Phil said; “We had a no-nonsense approach in defence, we were determined not to take any risks.

“Everyone in the team was magnificent, they worked hard all the way through the game. When they pulled a goal back for 2-1, we started to struggle a little physically, but we showed loads of character to keep going. I thought we were worthy winners.

“I’ve got to thank the fans as well, they were the best I’ve heard from them this season. They kept us going when our backs were against the wall, and it was great to hear their applause on the final whistle.”