DEBUT goals from Wilson Kneeshaw and youngster Jordan Lee ensured that Darlington saw off Blyth Spartans in the Integro League Cup, winning 2-1 at Croft Park.
The young duo scored a goal in each half and despite Andrew Cartwright's goal 13 minutes from time, the hosts couldn't find the equaliser that their pressure deserved.
Former Quaker Paul Robinson broke into the box to meet a Neal Hooks cross from the right but headed wide of Jim Provett's far post with no Darlington defender near him.
Quakers were grateful for the reflexes of Provett as he tipped Sean Reid's 12-yard drive round the post.
Ten minutes before the interval Kneeshaw, who had signed hours before kick off, was afforded acres of time and space on the edge of the Spartans area. He made no mistake with a raking, low drive.
An equaliser perhaps should have come soon after as again Robinson wasted a golden chance, firing over from the edge of the area.
Kevin Burgess almost found the inside of McHugh's far post as he rose to meet a Rob Youhill free kick and Spartans had a goal ruled out for offside.
Martin Gray made two changes just after the hour mark and one of them paid instant dividends as midfielder Lee scored.
A driving run through midfield by the impressive Youhill allowed him to find former Spartans striker Graeme Armstrong. He played Lee in and he showed composure to stroke the ball past McHugh.
Armstrong almost added a third as he volleyed against the crossbar from the edge of the area, but from then the hosts laid siege to the Quakers’ area.
Right back Cartwright took a return pass from Robinson and smashed a rising drive inside the near post.
Davis then played Neal Hooks in and a poorly struck effort seemed set to squirm in only for Marley to clear off the line.
Danny Parker headed wide from eight yards before Nowalowski deflected a Davis cross onto the roof of the net.
Blyth: McHugh, Cartwright, Watson, Parker, Hutchinson, Turnbull, Hooks, Robinson, Reid, Mullen, Davis. Subs: Dale, Morse, Otte, Richardson, Maguire
Darlington: Provett (Robinson 45), Marley, Walton, White, Burgess (Morley 61), Nowalowski, Youhill, Cocks, Armstrong, Dowson (Jordan 61), Kneeshaw. Subs: Hume, Stephenson
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