DARLINGTON manager Martin Gray had demanded a positive response to last week’s defeat to South Shields and he got it as his team put in an improved performance today at Boston United.

They drew 1-1 and it looked like they would take three points when Stephen Thompson gave Quakers the lead with a penalty on the hour.

Boston levelled with 12 minutes to go, however, though a draw was probably a fair result after a match between two well-matched sides.

Thompson was one of four changes, injury and illness playing a part in the team selection.

The four who made way from last week were transfer-listed Kevin Burgess, who is suspended, Mark Beck has a knee problem, Josh Gillies is ill, and Dave Syers was performing best man duties at his brother’s wedding.

Nathan Cartman and Dom Collins were recalled while Adam Dawson made his debut after signing on loan from Tranmere Rovers.

Little of note occurred during the opening stages, neither team forcing a clear chance at York Street where the pitch was in substantially better condition than on Quakers’ visit in February for a 2-1 win.

Boston played a 4-3-3 formation, striker Gregg Smith the pivot, with the Jay Rollins on the left from where he cut inside to pose a problem, tussling with Liam Marrs.

Joe Wheatley got a foot in to deflect the shot over and the corner was cleared.

Goalkeeper Adam Bartlett punched away a free-kick by James Clifton under pressure from Smith, and the referee did the same minutes later, the bulky Boston forward making his presence felt during an otherwise dull first 45 minutes.

The game burst into life on 24 minutes, when Marrs conceded a penalty, the former Boston right-back penalised for tripping Jack Thomas.

However, Bartlett guessed correctly in falling to his right saving what was a tame penalty by Clifton.

Weak and too central to trouble any keeper, Bartlett kept it out with ease, and within a couple of minutes Boston were almost behind.

Goalkeeper George Willis and defender Jordan Keane collided inside the penalty when dealing with a cross by Phil Turnbull, but danger was diverted nonetheless.

Keane was involved again soon after, this time after Adam Dawson had his first chance to run at Boston’s defence on his Darlington debut.

The right-winger beat the left-back and fired over a cross which Keane almost headed into his own net.

Boston had the better of the chances, and they came close just before the break after a free-kick, Dean Clifton volleying narrowly wide of a sprawling Bartlett, but wide of the post.

Early in the second half Boston had strong appeals for another penalty, this time claiming a handball by David Ferguson when a cross came in from, but this time referee Dean Watson said no.

In what as a largely even game, the teams cancelling each other out, play switched to the other end where Nathan Cartman let fly with a volley from the edge of the penalty area, going wide but not by much.

On the edge of Darlington’s area there was a moment of alarm when Bartlett raced off his line. He intervened when tricky forward Rollins held off Marrs, Bartlett just doing enough to divert the danger before back-peddling in time to see Smith head over.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark, Thompson smashing home a penalty after Harvey Saunders had been tripped by Keane.

Saunders came off the bench at the end of the first half, a replacement for injured Caton (groin), and his speed drew the foul from Keane, giving Darlington the lead.

Darlington were not unduly troubled thereafter, looking fairly comfortable.

Phil Turnbull became Quakers' latest injury casualty when he limped off with a hamstring strain, replaced by Leon Scott.

With 15 minutes to go Gray sent on Jack Vaulks for Dawson, asking the 18-year-old to play just in front of the back four.

But within a couple of minutes it was 1-1, Boston sub Kabongo Tshimanga working his way into the penalty area down Darlington’s left, holding off Terry Galbraith and squeezing a shot under Bartlett.

It was soon so nearly 2-1 to Boston, Ashley Hemmings forcing Bartlett into a smart save after a vicious shot from inside the penalty area, and from the resulting corner Marrs cleared off the line from Rollins.

Goals: Thompson pen (60, 0-1); Tshimanga (78, 1-1)

Bookings: Galbraith (40, foul), Wheatley (50, foul); Thomas (81, foul)

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: 1,051 (141 Darlington fans)

Boston United (4-3-3): Willis; Wakefield, McGowan Keane, Yeomans; McGuire, Broadhead (Tshimanga 69), Clifton (Hemmings 73); Rollins, Smith (Hawley 81), Thomas. Subs (not used): Chapman, Beatson

Darlington (4-4-2): Bartlett; Marrs, Collins, Galbraith, Ferguson; Dawson (Vaulks 75) Wheatley, Turnbull (Scott 64), Thompson; Cartman, Caton (Saunders 44). Subs (not used): Wilczynski (gk), Gillies