Darlington may have twice thrown away the lead to only draw at Bristol Rovers yesterday but manager David Hodgson refused to complain, pointing out the performance was a huge improvement on Saturday's defeat.

Quakers, who, including substitutes, showed nine changes to their line-up as Hodgson looked for a positive reaction from his team, improved in every way from the side that played so disappointingly in Saturday's defeat to Kidderminster Harriers.

Against Kidderminster, play-off chasing Darlington resembled a side heading for relegation, such was the lack of teamwork on display. Hardly any individuals came out of the shocking defeat with any credit, but yesterday there was a marked improvement in the team individually and collectively.

It was the response Hodgson was looking for and although his team could only draw despite leading 3-1 with just over 20 minutes to play, he left the Memorial Ground satisfied.

"I'm not happy that we haven't won because I'd have been delighted to get three points. With so many teams stil involved in going for the playoffs we need victories as quickly as possible," he said.

"But the most important thing for me was, after Saturday's horrifying performance, that we played well as a team, worked hard, played football, and put behind us what happened against Kidderminster.

"We went out of our way to get a big crowd on Saturday but yet again Darlington Football Club let everybody down on the big day.

"The football against Kidderminster was disgraceful from the first minute to the last. Today was a different story altogther.

"I told them in the dressing room that I will only judge them on their committment and work ethic, and today I can't fault them on those. So I wanted us to do what we do on the training gound every day, and I feel we did that."

Jason St Juste, Craig Russell and Craig Hignett provided Darlington's goals yesterday and the trio, half of the six returning members of the team, stood out as being three of the visitors' best performers.

Before notching from the penalty spot Hignett always looked likely to score while St Juste, who won the second half spot-kick to make it 2-1 to Darlington, was a constant menace down Bristol Rovers' right flank, his mazy dribbles giving Aaron Lescott a torrid time.

St Juste scored the goal of the game when he ran with the ball from the halfway line before scoring from the edge of the box to make it 3-1 on 62 minutes. Dave Savage's elbow brought a premature end to the teenager's best game in a Quakers shirt.

Although Hodgson was keen to acknowledge the contribution of all his team and not just individuals, he had praise for St Juste, saying: "Jason had the beating of his man all day.

"He absolutely tortured their full-back for virtually the entire game.

"Daft thing was, when he picked the ball up in midfield before he scored, I was screaming at him to pass the ball out wide, but he carried the ball and took his goal very well."

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