A rare headed goal from Neil Wainwright put Darlington on course for victory on Saturday, but he was quick to pay tribute to fellow goalscorer Jonjo Dickman, writes Craig Stoddart.

Midfielder Dickman was a surprise inclusion against Cheltenham, having been out of the squad with a stomach injury. But after missing eight games he marked his recall with an assist for Wainwright's goal before scoring his first of the season to put Quakers 2-1 ahead.

Wainwright headed in Dickman's 75th minute corner for his own first of the season and he said: "It was great to see Jonjo score because I thought he was a different class.

"He was our best player and he is still carrying an injury.

"I think a lot of people do not realise what a big job Jonjo does for the team. His work-rate is a different class, he is always making it hard for the opposition and when he gets the ball he keeps it simple rather than doing anything spectacular.

"Every team needs a player like that, but they tend to be the unsung heroes. David Batty was a prime example of a player who kept the play moving but not everybody tends to notice that sort of thing.

"He makes his fair share of forward runs which sometimes aren't seen and it paid off with a goal."

Wainwright's goal was his first with his head since scoring the final goal at Feethams in May 2003 against Leyton Orient.

Not known for his aerial prowess, Saturday's was only his third goal with his head, the other being the winner in an FA Cup match at Altrincham four years ago.

After bringing to an end ten hours without a goal from open play, the strike was a huge relief to all, especially Wainwright who had been dropped following the LDV Vans defeat at Kidderminster Harriers last week.

On Saturday he came on as a second half sub, as did fellow scorer Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, and Wainwright said: "It was definitely a relief to score. When you drop out of the team you're determined to make an impact when you get on the pitch.

"When we came on myself and Guy said to each other that we were going to win the game for us and it worked out that way.

"After Guy scored he came over to me and said we'd done what we said we'd do."

* Former Darlington striker Alun Armstrong is to sign for Rushden and Diamonds who Quakers host on November 26.

* Hodgson has hit out at the agent of Roland Stevko after a move to bring the Slovakian striker to the club fell through.

Stevko was due to arrive on trial last week, but will now remain in Slovakia.

"We booked everything for Roland to come over and train with us, but his agent didn't even had the decency to ring me and tell me he wasn't coming," said Hodgson. "It's been a disaster and I'm not happy about it. I've been down that road before as an agent and I can say I worked a lot better than those guys.

"I have two other players in the pipeline and hopefully something will happen soon."

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