Darlington 1 Mansfield Town 0

DARLINGTON made it six wins out of six and booked their place in the Northern section of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-final through a 1-0 win over League Two rivals Mansfield Town.

Substitute Martin Smith's 75th minute wonder strike settled last night's tie in a game which Quakers fully deserved to win.

The only disappointment was their failure to kill off the game sooner.

Victory for manager Dave Penney maintains his 100 per cent start and, with with five of those wins coming in November, the manager of the month award could shortly be arriving at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena.

It could all depend on the outcome of tonight's southern section clash between Bristol Rovers and Peterborough. Both Rovers boss Paul Trollope and Posh's Keith Alexander boast maximum wins from the month. However, given Quakers' form prior to Penney's arrival - one win in nine - he is the leading contender to toast a perfect month.

Darlington, who last reached the northern semi-final of the competition in 1986, before losing 3-0 to Bolton - ironically after beating Mansfield in the previous round - now go into Saturday's draw with a tie against Penney's former club Doncaster a real possibility.

With skipper Clark Keltie suspended, Micky Cummins took the captain's armband as Penney made five changes from the side which beat MK Dons three days earlier.

Record signing Julian Joachim was handed his first start under Penney as both Simon Johnson and Alun Armstrong were rested on the bench. Joachim was partnered in attack by Barry Conlon.

It was Quakers' leading scorer who should have added to his six goals this season in the third minute. Saturday's match-winner, Neil Wainwright beat Asa Charlton for pace down the right, before crossing for Conlon, who could only head over from seven yards.

Stags keeper Carl Muggleton was quick off his line moments later to save at the feet of Joachim.

Cummins was part of the Port Vale side that knocked Quakers out of the then LDV Vans Trophy at the same stage in 2000/01, before going on to win the competition.

It was the former Middlesbrough midfielder who was next to try his luck at the Mansfield goal, looping his 20-yard effort narrowly over the bar.

However, it was man of the moment Wainwright who came closest to breaking the deadlock when he struck the upright from a narrow angle after shaking off the attentions of Alex John-Baptiste.

Despite Darlington's first half domination, their inability to maintain possession from the back was Penney's biggest concern during a comfortable opening 45 minutes.

It wasn't until the 44th minute that Quakers keeper Sam Russell had a save to make, comfortably gathering Simon Brown's 16-yard effort.

Referee Clive Oliver waved away appeals for a penalty early in the second half when Joachim's shot appeared to strike the hand of defender John Olav Hjelde.

Moments later Joachim fired narrowly wide, before seeing his angled effort saved by Muggleton as the home side picked up where they left off in the first half.

Only a goal-line clearance from Jake Buxton prevented Darlington from taking a 62nd minute lead through the impressive Wainwright.

But after the winger saw another effort charged down in the 75th minute, Smith lashed home the rebound on the half volley from fully 30 yards.

It powered into the top corner of the net to book Darlington's place in the next round.