DARLINGTON’S new manager Tommy Wright looked on as his new team recorded a much-needed 2-1 win over Bradford Park Avenue.

He was appointed last night, with Alan White as assistant, and watched from the stands as Quakers won for only the second time in 14 matches.

Darlington’s goals were scored by Nathan Cartman and Josh Gillies, giving Phil Turnbull and Gary Brown a win in their final match in temporary charge.

They have been caretakers since Martin Gray left to join York City at the beginning of the month, since when Quakers have been in a state of limbo while looking for a new manager.

Wright and White’s appointment, however, signals the beginning of a new era for the club, one the fans are looking forward to after greeting the management pairing with a warm welcome when they were introduced on the pitch before kick-off.

And moments after kick-off they were celebrating the first goal, though Wright missed it as he made his way to the directors’ room.

Darlington’s new era began perfectly with a goal after just 92 seconds credited to Nathan Cartman.

Dave Syers passed out to left-back Leon Scott on the left, he crossed for Cartman and his attempted header went in off Graham Kelly who made a hash of the clearance.

It made for the perfect start for Wright and White, who were keeping dry and watching the match from behind glass in the main stand at Blackwell Meadows.

A Phil Turnbull long-range shot was blocked, diverted wide for corner, in a positive start for Quakers.

BPA had a bit of joy by attacking up their right flank, a series of crosses causing Quakers problems.

One of them led to Adam Boyes spurning a good chance, his first touch took Liam Marrs out of the equation leaving the Bradford striker in a good position, but he volleyed wide.

It was an escape for Quakers, and it was the visitors’ turn next to live dangerously. Turnbull’s free-kick to the penalty spot, after Tom Portas had been fouled, was heading for Dom Collins but rolled wide when a BPA player got a touch to concede a corner.

Portas had earlier been booked for diving, a controversial moment as Bradford’s Ryan Toulson appeared to have collided with Darlington’s midfielder.

Portas was at the centre of a lovely move next, he exchanged passes with Cartman, and after the return pass laid off to Stephen Thompson whose low shot was blocked by keeper Ed Hall.

Bradford, managed by former Darlington defender Mark Bower, had moments of their own in a largely even first half.

They countered quickly on 37 minutes, leading to Boyes having a shot deflected wide by Marrs.

The visitors caused moments of alarm either side of the break due to free-kicks. The first one, conceded by Terry Galbraith due to handball, was fired over by Nicky Wroe and soon after the restart Boyes flicked a header at Adam Bartlett after Nicky Clee’s delivery.

A free-kick by Darlington, however, provided the next goal of the game, Josh Gillies scoring, though an element of fortune was involved.

His flighted effort to the far post bounced its way to the inside of the far post, giving Quakers a 2-0 lead on 55 minutes.

It was almost halved within five minutes, however, Bartlett required to push over Mark Ross’ fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area.

There were fewer chances for most of the second half, neither keeper overly worked, a situation which suited Quakers fine as they headed towards victory.

They sent on substitutes Joe Wheatley and Harvey Saunders, the former going narrowly wide with a shot from the edge of the penalty area with ten minutes to go.

Former Darlington player Adam Nowakowski came on for Bradford, the utility player sent on up front, and in the final minute his team gave Quakers a fright when Oli Johnson scored with a header.

And he almost repeated the trick in the first minute of added time, Bartlett saving this time as the visitors finished with a flourish, Nowakowski almost snatching a point as he got close to connecting with a Kelly cross in the 95th minute.

And even later Javan Vidal hit Barlett's bar from six yards as Darlington lived dangerously in the dying seconds.

Darlington (4-5-1): Bartlett; Marrs, Collins, Galbraith, Scott; Thompson (Caton 83), Portas (Wheatley 70), Turnbull, Syers, Gillies; Cartman (Saunders 77). Subs not used: Wilczynski (gk), Burgess

Bradford PA (4-4-2): Hall; Toulson, Ross, Havern (Nowakowski 79), Kelly; Vidal, D Boshell (Spencer 86), Wroe, Clee (N Boshell 64); Boyes, Johnson. Subs not used: Knowles, Hill