IT was only last week that the play-offs seemed a million miles away for Darlington but, after last night's win at Rochdale, those fading dreams are fast becoming a distinct possibility.

The debate over their play-off chances has rumbled on to the point of tedium during the second half of the season.

For many fans, the 5-0 home defeat to Carlisle, followed by the single-goal loss at struggling Barnet a week later appeared to draw a definitive line under their faltering campaign.

But, after putting four past Lincoln four days ago, Quakers' dying hopes have suddenly been resuscitated.

Last night goals from Andy Cooke and Jemal Johnson ensured Quakers, who moved up a place to tenth, will make the long trip to Torquay United this weekend within just one point of seventh place - the final play-off spot.

The game was certainly less comfortable than the scoreline suggested. While Quakers' strikers are finally finding their form in front of goal, Dale's profligacy in the final third was exposed as the hosts wasted numerous chances.

Boss David Hodgson feels Quakers haven't been the same since Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu departed for Cardiff City at the beginning of the year. The same could be said for the effect Grant Holt's departure for Nottingham Forest in January has had on Dale.

Rochdale avoided their eighth home postponement of the season when local referee Lee Mason deemed the pitch playable after a 2pm inspection yesterday.

Within seconds of leaving the team bus, Hodgson was out on the surface to assess the full extent of Dale's quagmire.

But rather than the anticipated ploughed field, Spotland resembled a scene from a Christmas card an hour before kick-off after a brief flurry of snow.

On Saturday, Hodgson's decision to mirror Lincoln's formation paid dividends. And last night, the Quakers boss again decided to mirror Dale's 4-3-3 line-up.

There was one change from Saturday's side. With Jonjo Dickman nursing an ankle injury, after turning on it against Lincoln, there was a first start since November 26 - incidentally the last time Dale won at home - for David Duke.

Keeper Sam Russell was given an early reminder of the difficult playing conditions when he sliced Shelton Martis' back pass into the nearby car park.

Russell was forced to throw himself across goal in the fifth minute to guide Gary Jones' rasping effort narrowly wide.

Duke, clearly relishing his return to the side, threaded a well-weighted through-ball to Johnson in the 11th minute, but the on-loan striker, playing just down the road from his permanent home, Blackburn, could only screw his shot wide.

Only a superb point-blank save from Dale keeper Matthew Gilks prevented Quakers from taking the lead on the quarter-hour mark. Latching on to Guy Bates' flick-on, Cooke took one touch before shooting low at Gilks, who showed excellent reactions to save.

Despite creating the better chances, Quakers were forced on the back foot early on, although the home side received little change, with Shelton Martis, in particular, a commanding presence.

When Dale did get a sight of goal, Russell remained resolute in the Quakers goal. One-time Darlington target Iysden Christie tried his luck from range, but, despite a wicked bounce off the surface in front of him, Russell was focused to collect.

Despite Dale's emerging dominance, Quakers took a 34th minute lead through Cooke. The on-loan forward hasn't had the easiest of spells in the North-East - his only other goal came on his debut at Peterborough in February.

But, against the run of play, Cooke made no mistake in side-footing the ball past Gilks from Matty Appleby's cut back.

And, just when it appeared Quakers would face a second half barrage from Dale, the visitors were gifted the cushion of a two-goal lead.

Meeting Appleby's ball over the top and taking it past a defender, Johnson's effort shouldn't have troubled Gilks, but he somehow contrived to spill the ball into the net.

Rochdale 0 - 2 Darlington

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