NOT even Carlisle's biggest crowd in a decade could neither unnerve nor deny Darlington the point they fully deserved at Brunton Park yesterday.

Manager David Hodgson promised his side would rise to the occasion and they certainly didn't disappoint in front of an audience of 11,182.

Quakers have taken four points from two games and, with three games in the next six days to come, Hodgson's men are in fine fettle to close in on the top seven.

Indeed, the 792 Quakers fans who made the trip across the Pennines returned to the North-East last night fully satisfied with the character shown by their side.

It was Simon Johnson who cancelled out Chris Lumsdon's 30th minute penalty to earn Quakers a share of the spoils.

The game was marred by an injury to Joey Hutchinson, who was stretchered off early on with suspected cruciate knee ligament damage.

The Teessider missed a large chunk of last season with the same injury, although he damaged his other knee yesterday when he landed awkwardly.

But, even without their influential new skipper, Quakers defended resiliently against the high-flying Cumbrians.

Ironically it was Matt Clarke - the man who was replaced by Hutchinson as captain - who inspired the visitors to a hard-earned point.

And, for 74 minutes, Clarke ensured Michael Bridges would not haunt the club who tried to sign him last month, before the former Sunderland and Newcastle striker was substituted.

"I don't think we deserved all three points, but I thought we were certainly good value for the one," said Hodgson.

"The equaliser from Simon gave us that belief that we could take something from the game. They had one or two very good chances, but I thought Bert (Bossu) was outstanding for us today.

"They were third in the league before the game and I think you can see why. But, we dug deep and got a very good point.

"We didn't get a lot of help from the gentleman in the middle (the referee), but I thought we coped well with what Carlisle threw at us.

"I think we can go into Barnet with a lot of confidence and belief that we can take something out of the game and keep closing that gap at the top.

"We have four games in a short space of time, so it's important that we use the squad we have wisely.

"It was hugely disappointing to lose Joey early on and our first fears are that he has suffered a cruciate injury."

There were two changes to the Quakers side that won 3-0 at Stockport. With Ryan Valentine serving a one-match ban, and Phil Stamp ruled out with a virus, there were recalls for Brian Close and Matty Appleby.

Tresor Kandol, fit again after a shoulder injury, returned to the squad but had to settle for a place on the bench.

Visiting fans were still streaming into the ground when Appleby's cross caused some panic in the Carlisle area in the fourth minute, although the presence of Peter Murphy was enough to distract the danger of Johnson at the back post.

In the tenth minute former Hartlepool defender Paul Arnison came within inches of scoring, throwing himself at Zigor Aranalde's long throw into the box, only to head over the bar.

And, after Bridges' free-kick on the edge of the area was deflected dangerously into the Quakers box, Clarke produced a superb last-gasp header to clear under pressure from leading scorer Karl Hawley.

Trips to Brunton Park are often tense affairs and yesterday's so-called derby was no different.

There were screams for a penalty when Bridges went to the ground under a fair challenge from Clarke.

And, only the heroics of Bossu prevented the home side from taking a 27th minute lead.

From the resulting corner Carlisle were awarded a penalty after Shelton Martis was adjudged to have fouled Brendan McGill in the box - the third time the Quakers defender has conceded a spot kick this season.

Lumsdon made no mistake from the spot, stroking the ball past Bossu.

However, United's lead was only shortlived, as Johnson drew Quakers level in the 39th minute.

The former Leeds youngster has enjoyed an improved run of form since being converted to a midfielder by Hodgson. And, after winning his side a free-kick down the right, Johnson was unmarked at the back post to nod home Carlos Logan's free-kick.

As the home side pushed to restore their lead with half-time approaching, Hawley sliced wide.

There was only a minute of the second half played when Jonjo Dickman side-footed straight at United keeper Keiren Westwood. At the other end Bossu showed good handling to save from a Lumsdon set-piece.

Westwood was well-positioned to push away Logan's low effort after the winger showed good pace to move past Arnison.

Logan then turned provider to cross for Martis, but the Dutchman could only direct his header over.

The much-improved Bossu then showed good reflexes to block from Hawley after the striker swivelled past Clarke in the box.

Quakers switched from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 formation for the final half hour, seemingly confident in coming away from Brunton Park with more than just a point.

The move almost backfired when Close cleared substitute Simon Hackney's goal-bound header off the line with his knees.

Jonjo Dickman wasted a glorious opportunity to give Quakers the lead with ten minutes remaining, latching on to Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu's pass in the box, before dragging wide.

And, while Carlisle rallied for a late winner, Quakers hung on to claim a share of the spoils