SOMETIMES, attractive football is not enough. Quakers may be missing star names like Marco Gabbiadini and Neil Heaney this season, but the new-look team's willingness to work its socks off was crucial in Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle which lifted them to fifth in the Nationwide Third Division.

The game turned on Stuart Elliott's controversial sending-off seconds after the interval, a second booking for not retreating ten yards at a free-kick leading to a red card.

For the remaining 45 minutes it was largely one-way traffic, but Quakers' defended superbly, with Andy Collett faultless in goal.

The display was even more impressive because centre-half Neil Aspin had been forced off with injury before the break.

The goal had come after just four minutes, when Elliott's well-struck shot was deflected in by Anton Kaak for his first competitive goal for Darlington.

The lively Dutchman should have put his team two-up minutes later , but his close range shot was headed off the line.

The hard-fought victory followed a more comfortable away win at Southend United on Saturday, when second-half goals by Craig Liddle and Lee Nogan gave Gary Bennett's side a 2-0 win.

Tomorrow, Quakers are at home to York City, while the second leg of the Worthington Cup first round tie at Nottingham Forest is now on Wednesday night