Craig Stoddart continues his Pic from the Past series with our away win at Halifax in 1999

Marco Gabbiadini scored the only goal when Darlington started the season with a win 1-0 at Halifax Town in August 1999.

There had been great excitement among fans in the build-up to the 1999-2000 season, a tidal wave of optimism swept through the town with Quakers manager David Hodgson making some notable signings following George Reynolds’ arrival as chairman at the end of the previous season.

Experienced professionals with hundreds of appearances at higher levels arrived at Feethams, among them being Neil Heaney, Neil Aspin, Martin Gray and Lee Nogan, the latter three making their debuts at the Shay with around 700 Quakers supporters having made the trip.

The goal came in the second half. Nogan nipped in to seize on an error by goalkeeper Chris Adamson after a throw-in by Mark Sertori before passing to strike-partner Gabbiadini, who drove the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Hodgson said: “It is up to me to keep the players' feet on the ground and keep them focused on what we want to do this season, and that's to win promotion. But there is a very, very, long way to go yet.”

Darlington: Collett, Liddle, Heckingbottom, Reed, Bennett, Aspin, Gray, Atkinson (Himsworth 89), Oliver, Nogan (Carruthers 82), Gabbiadini. Subs (not used): Brumwell, Samways, Duffield

PICTURED: Left to right, Lee Nogan, Martin Gray, George Reynolds, Neal Heaney, Neil Radigan and Neil Aspin