JULIAN Joachim insists he no longer has any desire to leave Darlington and the striker-cum-winger is now relishing the season ahead after pledging his future to the club.

Quakers' record signing was expected to leave the Darlington Arena during the summer after informing manager Dave Penney he wanted to return south due to family issues.

His request was accepted and the club were willing to listen to offers. But, with no club willing to match Darlington's value of a player who cost £100,000 from Boston United a year ago, chairman George Houghton last week insisted Joachim would be staying put.

Houghton said Joachim's family situation had been resolved and that the player is now happy in the North-East.

"Without doubt this is a fresh start for me," said Joachim. "It was only due to family reasons that I wanted to move closer to home.

"It's nothing against the club, I did enjoy it here last season - it's a great club and that's what made me stay in the end.

"I'm obviously delighted to be here and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season with Darlington."

And in committing his future to the club, Joachim has also found a new lease of life, operating as a right winger.

But, it was after the dismissal of goalkeeper Andy Oakes in the 63rd minute that the 32-year-old made his most crucial contribution of the afternoon.

Just nine minutes after moving up front following Oakes' exit, Joachim fired home Darlington's all-important second goal.

He said: "I'm very happy with that. It came at the right time for us and instead of hanging on it just gave us that little bit of breathing space."

Quakers head to Championship side Barnsley in the first round of the Carling Cup tomorrow and Joachim feels it is important to build on Saturday's impressive start to the season.

"The most important thing was getting off on the right footing as quickly as possible and we can work from that," said Joachim.

"It was a decent performance, the boys worked really hard and we created plenty of chances, which we took.

"We've got another game on Tuesday and then on Saturday so we've just got to get on with and hopefully build up a good run."

* David Stockdale will tomorrow night replace Oakes who will serve a one-match ban.

* Former Quakers keeper Sam Russell has signed for Rochdale and was an unused sub on Saturday, as was ex-defender Joey Hutchinson who signed for York City on Friday after an unsuccessful trial spell with Hereford United.