A last-minute goal by Cheltenham midfielder Martin Devaney sentenced Darlington to their fourth successive League defeat at Whaddon Road last night.

It was cruel luck for Quakers, who recovered from another poor opening and equalised through youngster Alan Morgan, who inspired his side with a superb performance.

Morgan scored his first senior goal just before the break to end Quakers' spell of 416 minutes without a goal in open play.

Disappointed manager Mick Tait said: "I thought we played well after we gave a goal away. We were organised and disciplined and created plenty of chances.

"I thought Alan Morgan had a very good game and was unlucky not to get a second.

"I asked the referee why he didn't award a penalty when Ian Clark was tripped, but he told me that he kicked the ground."

Quakers, who are prone to giving early goals away, managed to keep their composure in the opening stages.

Cheltenham midfielder Grant McCann floated a free kick over the bar in the second minute and after ten minutes Joey Hutchinson, facing his own goal, did well to head a teasing cross from Martin Devaney over his own bar.

Cheltenham had a good chance after 16 minutes when a throw-in from the right was flicked on by Paul Brayson for Horden-born striker Bob Taylor to volley over the bar.

Quakers offered very little in attack with only one teasing cross from the left by Alan Morgan to show for their efforts.

They were almost caught flat-footed after 23 minutes when Devaney found space to cross from the right and Brayson, six yards out, glanced a header wide.

Quakers fell behind after 31 minutes to yet another set-piece. Devaney curled in a corner from the left and defender Jamie Victory was left unmarked to score with a header which took a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Cheltenham went in search of a second and almost succeeded when a vicious, in-swinging free kick by McCann was cleared off the line by Pearson.

But Quakers equalised out of the blue after 42 minutes. Danny Mellanby finally managed to get away from his marker and found Neil Wainwright just inside the area. The winger crossed perfectly to the far post, where Morgan charged in and volleyed left-footed past Shane Higgs for his first senior goal.

Quakers nearly got another a minute later when former Darlington YTS Micky Duff was completely off target with a back-pass and David Bird just managed to deny Mellanby with a tackle.

The equaliser certainly livened the game up and just before half-time Price had to go full length to his left to push away a 30-yard volley by McCann.

On the half-time whistle Price again dived to his left to save from the same player.

Darlington started the second half at a good tempo with Neil Wainwright making two dangerous runs down the right wing which came to nothing.

Cheltenham responded with a good run by Victory around the back of the defence and his low cross for Taylor was well taken out by David McGurk.

Quakers nearly went behind after 56 minutes when Price hesitated as a right wing cross came over and Taylor almost took advantage, but his looping header ended on the roof of the net.

Quakers thought they should have had a penalty after 63 minutes when after a good run Clark appeared to be tripped in the box and after the referee waved play on Mellanby's shot was blocked.

Morgan had clearly grown in confidence after his goal and after 64 minutes he sent a 30-yard left-foot shot just wide of the post.

Two minutes later Darlington had another penalty appeal turned down, this time for hand-ball as Wainwright prepared to shoot.

Morgan, who was a constant danger, again hit a powerful left-foot shot from 30 yards, which Cheltenham keeper Higgs managed to push over the top. Then an in-swinging corner by Morgan was headed off the line

Cheltenham had a couple of half chances through McCann which failed to trouble Price, and it appeared as if the game was drifting towards a draw.

However, in the last minute of normal time a long ball from the back caught the Darlington defence square and Devaney raced clear and beat Price with a low shot.

* Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has urged the club's frustrated fans to point an accusing finger at the players rather than manager Gerard Houllier.

Houllier has come under fire following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth, the Reds' third successive League loss.

The Frenchman has made it clear he will not walk away, while the club have not sacked anyone for more than 50 years.

Gerrard said: ''It's nonsense to start talking about the manager and his position. It's down to the players and the way we perform on the pitch."