It was a day of firsts at Feethams on Saturday afternoon as Tommy Taylor enjoyed his first home game in charge.

Beating Oxford brought Darlington a first three point-haul in nine matches, a first clean sheet in seven games and Taylor's first signing, Brian Healy, brought in on a short term contract 24 hours previously, scored the only goal.

And just for good measure, aged 32, the strike was the first Healy had ever scored with his head.

But whether it was the first of many Taylor-led victories remains to be seen because, as the manager admitted, there was certainly room for improvement while keeper Andy Collett, once again, earned his wages with several vital saves.

"In the first half we were rubbish," was Taylor's blunt assessment.

"I just said 'go out there and enjoy the game, this is your first home game with me, go out there and show the people what we've been working on', and in first half I might as well have not been there.

"In the second half, after we'd sorted them out in the dressing room at half-time - we told them they didn't have to follow players back across the half-way line - and it worked very well, caught them offside a few times, and what we've been doing in training at the back worked out very well for us.

"Andy's an outstanding goalkeeper, we've got some very good players here, they're just not all playing to their full potential at the moment but I'm pleased Andy was today.

"Even though they didn't play well in the first half, they kept going. We showed a bit more bite, especially in midfield, in the second half.

"In the second half the boys got stuck in, got close to people, even Wainwright was making tackles which was nice to see, we'll have to wash his shorts now."

Neither side looked particularly solid at the back as both sides created opportunities throughout the game, although it was Oxford, and Paul Moody in particular, who will be kicking themselves for not taking all three points, for it was they who forced more clear-cut chances.

The first 45 minutes saw Oxford carve up the home defence on several occasions, with Manny Omoyinmi demonstrating why he was deemed good enough for Premiership duty not three year ago years ago.

Using his ability in the air, Moody was first to get on the end of several crosses, but Collett was equal to every one of his efforts, although the keeper will have been relieved to see one particular first half effort skim the bar.

So credit goes to Darlington for taking the chance to score when it came, which is something they have failed to do on far too many occasions this season. Furthermore, conceding an injury time equaliser at Halifax last week had clearly taught Quakers something about the value of defending resolutely during the closing stages.

The goal, which preceded a few thousand sighs of relief around Feethams, came nine minutes after Healy swapped a place on the bench with Phil Brumwell. Richard Hodgson, who enjoyed his most productive game of the season, played an inviting ball into the penalty area for Healy who had to stoop to head past Ian McCaldon.

Not content with scoring on his debut, Healy almost returned the favour when he played the winger through with a flighted ball to the right-flank, but Hodgson's shot was tame.

Hodgson's assist should have been in his second of the afternoon having provided a perfect cross for Kirk Jackson in the first half. But as the keeper made his prescence felt, Jackson lacked the killer instinct.

"Kirk should've scored with the header. It was the old 'touch-turtle'. His neck went into his collar and never came out. I don't know if his bottle went or what, but we'll soon find out," promised Taylor.

Darlington must wait until next midweek for a home game with second-placed Rochdale before they can attempt to move further up the division as an FA Cup first round tie at Kidderminster awaits.

But with injuries, and the FA Cup transfer deadline having passed on Friday, Taylor admitted: "I'll have to play George upfront on Saturday! We're without a couple of players, so I might have to fetch a couple of YTS players through to put on the bench or maybe even play because we're right down on numbers, that's why I've signed Healy to get him in time for the FA Cup.

"I tried to sign another one but I couldn't get it done in time."

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