DARLINGTON are fifth in the table after a solid start to the season, one they can be satisfied with after quickly acclimatising to the National League North.

They have come a long way in a short space of time – three promotions in four seasons – and this division is proving more demanding and competitive than the others they have passed through since 2012.

On Saturday, Quakers faced a Nuneaton Town side who are third-bottom yet found themselves facing a barrage of attacks in a one-sided second half and ultimately left Warwickshire relieved to take a point despite starting strongly and scoring first.

Nuneaton turned it around and had Quakers on the rack, leaving Martin Gray to admit: “We had to defend for our lives.

“Nuneaton didn’t really have any clear headers, although there was one big save by Peter Jameson.

“There were lots of good blocks from our defenders and midfielders, lots of closing down around the box.

“As the game went on Nuneaton got stronger and we had to defend very well, keep a good shape and we did well as a team.”

Last Wednesday his team recovered from going a goal down to beat Stockport County 2-1 at Heritage Park, and the manager pointed out: “We’ve taken four points out of six in the last two games, which is massive in this league.

“We aren’t going to come away and dominate games, we can’t expect to win every week. We’ve come away with a vital point.”

Gray named an unchanged starting XI and Darlington went ahead on 24 minutes, Mark Beck bagging his fourth goal of the season, ample reward for a start in which a handful of chances came Quakers’ way.

Stephen Thompson and Liam Hardy both had sight of goal before Beck met Jordan Watson’s cross and his looping header set up Darlington for another three-point haul.

“It was a great bit of play,” said Gray. “A nice ball back to Thompson, a lovely first-time cross by Watson to the far post for Becky.”

But seemingly gone are the days when the opposition wilt once a goal down.

Instead, Nuneaton showed willing and steadily built pressure before the break, firing in a number of crosses and winning corners. Left-back Ben O’Hanlon, on loan from Wolves, was a particular threat.

Darlington stood firm, but they badly missed the controlling influence in midfield of Phil Turnbull, who limped off with a hamstring strain.

Nuneaton maintained their momentum in the second half, Darlington unable to stem the tide of unrelenting pressure against a team which had looked set for a hiding inside the first 30 minutes.

“They’re a good team, a very good footballing team,” added Gray.

“I spoke to people who’d seen them play and we had reports on them, they’re in a false position and probably haven’t been getting the rub of the green.

“They’re full-time and have some young lads in there. Their energy levels are good and they play their formation well.”

Quakers conceded possession too easily, punting balls towards the listless Hardy and Beck.

Darlington’s formation was a narrow 4-4-2, and with his team under the cosh Gray made an unorthodox move, sending on Gary Brown to shore up the midfield.

“We needed a bit of height because we knew the ball was going to come into the box at set-pieces, we needed a big man in there,” explained Gray.

But Quakers immediately left space on the right which Nuneaton exploited, Greg Tempest receiving a pass before rifling past Jameson for a 73rd-minute equaliser.

It was the 14th goal Quakers have conceded, and they have kept only one clean sheet, so clearly there are defensive issues which Gray and his staff must resolve.

He will make changes for Wednesday’s game at bottom-of-the-table Bradford Park Avenue, Brown, Josh Gillies and Nathan Cartman all likely to start.

Gillies came off the bench on Saturday and helped craft an opening that saw Brown bring a flying save out of goalkeeper Kristian Dibble, the 80th-minute attack being Quakers’ first decent move of the second half.

“Over the 90 minutes I’m happy with a point, but after the first 20 minutes I was disappointed we didn’t have the game put to bed at that stage,” reflected Gray.

“We started really well and had two or three great chances before we scored.

“We had some very good chances and that game was finished with after 20 minutes if we’d taken our opportunities.

“It’s something we keep stressing, the importance of scoring early doors, because if you don’t you’re inviting the opposition on to you.”