The only goal of the game came after 34 minutes when Danny Webber chipped over Peter Jameson. It continued Salford’s great start to the season but it was a close affair for much of the game. The visitors had plenty of possession but Darlington created a few half chances and pinned them back for a sizeable period in the second half.

Darlington however were unable to find a way through against a well organised outfit. Quakers were missing four Terry Galbraith, Stephen Thompson, Amar Purewal and David Dowson and it showed as they lacked the guile and creativity needed.

Salford moved the ball around quickly and enjoyed the better of the first half, Webber breaking the deadlock with a tidy finish on 34 minutes after latching onto Dale Johnson’s superb pass and lofting the ball over Jameson. Darlington replied through Nathan Fisher who save a volley blocked on the line by Paul Linwood.

Salford were content to sit back after the break and soak up pressure from Quakers who had lots of the ball but lacked the quality to breakdown a well-organised side. Alan White had a header cleared off the line and Adam Reed blasted the follow-up over the bar.

Darlington tried to turn the screw in the closing stages but it was a similar story to the rest of the game - the hosts not having the quality to force an equaliser.

Darlington: Jameson; Brown, White, Hunter, Scott; Robinson (Noble, 59), Portas, Reed; Fisher, A Mitchell, Armstrong (Hatch 57). Subs (not used): Bell (gk), Scarr, Cocks.

Salford City: J Lynch; Edgehill, C Lynch, Linwood, Moss; Platt, Dunn, Rother; Johnson (Brown 73), Webber (Walters 88), Madeley (Wiles 55). Subs (not used): Smith, Messer.

Goals: Webber (34, 0-1).