GOALKEEPER Sam Russell may have been man of the match on Saturday, but it was substitute Ian Clark who produced the only goal and a stunning strike worthy of winning any game.

It was the 29-year-old's 26th goal in 118 Darlington appearances, but few can have been so memorable as lashing home a first-time volley from 18 yards to beat a former teammate and in doing so clinch a three-point haul at home on the opening day of the season for the first time since 1982.

Those circumstances probably weren't on his mind as fellow sub Neil Wainwright received the ball on the right before delivering a perfect pass to Clark across the field in plenty of space, leaving the ex-Hartlepool man to hit a rising drive left-footed past Anthony Williams.

Clark, who played alongside Williams at Victoria Park from the middle of 2000 until signing for Quakers in November 2001, admitted there may have been a little good fortune in his goal.

He said: "It was one of those where if you hit them right it flies in but if you shank it then it goes over the bar.

"Luckily for me I got it right.

"Every time I play against Taffy I score. I told him that but he wouldn't believe me. I scored in both of the games against him when he was in goal for Hartlepool.

"It's about time he saved one of my shots!"

Clark scored the majority of his Darlington goals during his first season with the club when Tommy Taylor played him up front, from where he hit the back of the net on 13 occasions.

But he has no great desire to return to Darlington's front-line and admitted: "I've got a position in the team on the left and I'm working hard to stay in the squad and get in the team.

"Although if I was asked to play as a striker then I'd it to the best of my ability. All I can ever do is give my best wherever I play.

"What we want is a good squad with players who can come on and do a job and give the manager something to think about, give him another option."

Clark replaced Matt Clarke who played as a striker but, suffering tonsillitis, was affected by the hot conditions.

The fact an ill Clarke played up-front said it all about the club's desperate need for a striker, and manager David Hodgson paid tribute to the towering central defender.

He said: "Matt played with tonsillitis and he kept drying up, he couldn't breathe and lasted for as long as he could."

Read more about the Quakers here.