CHELTENHAM Town skipper Mark Freeman showed Quakers' shot-shy strikers how to find the net at Feethams on Tuesday night.

His inch-perfect lob proved the only goal of the game - and, fortunately for Darlington, it was his own advancing keeper that Freeman beat.

With other teams at the bottom pulling off surprise victories, the three points were vital for Gary Bennett's side, lifting them to 18th in the Nationwide Third Division.

Quakers started brightly, with Paul Campbell and John Williams wasting good opportunities before Freeman's blunder.

The goal prompted another bizarre episode featuring Darlington's millionaire owner, George Reynolds. Going walkabout in the East Stand - to more jeers than cheers - he and his phalanx of stewards then joined Bennett and assistant manager Mick Tait in the dugout.

After the break, the visitors stepped up the pace and Quakers had to defend desperately. The Cheltenham forwards missed half a dozen clear chances, while Craig Liddle saved one certain goal with a superb sliding tackle.

One plus point was a neat and combative debut in midfield from Mark Ford, a £15,000 signing from Torquay United. But up front, Quakers were woeful.

The determination shown by Bennett's men was in marked contrast to a pathetic display at Barnet on Saturday.

Quakers went down without a fight, losing 3-0. After the game, Tait blasted his new charges: "It's difficult to be skilful, but it costs nothing to work hard. Barnet were first to every ball."

Tait was never second to the ball as a player, and his comments were echoed by all those at Underhill. Tomorrow, Quakers are at home to Macclesfield Town.