Stephen Thompson’s second half goal lifted a depleted Darlington two places to fifth with a win over Brackley.

Darlington had a new-look defence with both first-choice centre-backs, Gary Brown and Kevin Burgess, unavailable due to suspension and injury respectively.

Despite the changes, Quakers did not appear hindered and were good value for the victory, which sees them leapfrog Halifax and Stockport County, both of whom failed to win today.

Darlington made a strong start and were almost a goal up on six minutes, Brackley’s Alex Gudger thankful for the reflexes of goalkeeper Laurie Walker for tipping away his goal-bound attempt at diverting Stephen Thompson’s right-wing cross.

Despite the changes, Quakers did not appear hindered and won four corners by the ninth minute, none of them coming to anything but the statistic demonstrated Darlington dominance during the first 40 minutes.

A left-foot shot dragged wide by Mark Beck from corner of penalty area, a half chance, was the team’s first attempt, and after a foul on Dave Syers 25 yards out Stephen Thompson tried his luck.

The scorer of a cracking goal in the reverse fixture last October, a 2-2 draw, Thompson floated the ball over the wall and into the Tin Shed.

And then Syers had an attempt from the edge of the penalty area, the ball going high over the bar after it had fallen to him following’s Beck challenge for a high ball.

Brackley were incensed midway through the half when they believed Shane Byrne had been felled inside the centre-circle when Josh Falkingham challenged for the ball.

The referee, Kelvin Sarsfield, played on, leading to an attack from which Thompson won Darlington’s fifth corner and this time Quakers had the ball in the net – a Syers header - but it was ruled out for a push on the keeper.

Nathan Cartman stung the palms of Walker’s hands with a long-range effort, before Brackley had their first attack of note on 33 minutes.

It led to Adam Walker, one of three Walkers in the Northamptonshire side, shooting tamely at the previously underemployed Ed Wilczynski.

Thompson’s low right-footed shot from corner of the penalty area was saved by Laurie Walker after Syers pulled the ball back, but Brackley came more into the contest in the closing stages of the half and wasted a glorious opportunity.

After a cross-field ball from their right, striker Jordan Hempenstall headed ball into Matt Lowe’s path, but he mishit the volley.

A goal then would've punished Darlington for not taking advantage of the possession and chances they had, so were thankful for a poorly hit attempt.

The visitors began the second half by forcing another scoring opportunity, this time following an attack down their left.

Glenn Walker, who played so well against Darlington in October, swung in a cross to the near post where David Moyo, who outjumped Chris Hunter, headed powerfully but the chance went wide.

Moyo would regret the miss, as on 54 minutes Quakers were ahead.

It came after good play by Phil Turnbull, who put Walker on his backside before pulling the ball back to the recalled Liam Marrs and his cross won a corner when Gareth Dean headed behind.

Terry Galbraith took the set-piece, and the ball pinged around the penalty area Beck laid the ball off and Thompson made no mistake, blasting his shot high into the net.

It was his eighth goal of the season, and he looked handily placed for a ninth soon afterwards.

Falkingham pulled wide and delivered a low ball towards Thompson, but Jordan Gough had anticipated it and cut out the cross before Quakers’ No. 11 could pounce.

Thompson was withdrawn on 74 minutes, replaced by the pacey Harvey Saunders.

Brackley had made all their substitutions when Glenn Walker had to go off with what appeared to be concussion after a clash of heads with a team-mate. Darlington’s club doctor was called and after lengthy treatment Walker had to be led back to the dugout, his team seeing out the rest of the game with ten men.

The stoppage meant there were ten minutes of added time, but Quakers saw the game out without any trouble.

They are at home to Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday.

Darlington: Wilczynski; Marrs, Hunter, Galbraith, Ferguson; Syers, Falkingham, Turnbull; Thompson (Saunders 74), Cartman (Gillies 90), Beck. Subs (not used): Jameson (gk), Wearmouth, Hume

Brackley (3-5-2): L Walker; Gough, Dean, Gudger; Clifton, Lowe (Myles 64), A Walker, Byrne, G Walker; Moyo (Diggin 81), Hempenstall (Ndlovu 64). Subs (not used): Pitt, Barnes-Homer