Darlington suffered a disappointing afternoon as they missed a great opportunity to gain ground in the promotion race by being held at home to lowly Macclesfield Town - and had an own goal to thank for a point.

Quakers remain third but, because MK Dons lost for the second consecutive week, this time at home to Rochdale, a win today would have seen Darlington close the gap on the leaders to five points with two games in hand.

Having won three consecutive matches, the first of two home games in four days - against a side who had won only one of their previous ten games - was a fixture Quakers were expected to win.

After taking the lead after only ten minutes through a Tommy Wright header Darlington appeared on course to make it four wins in a row.

He headed Clark Keltie's corner from close-range to record his tenth goal of the season.

Wright then had a great opportunity to score his 11th of the season when he headed for goal but instead of shooting, or passing to team-mate Richie Foran who was in acres of space, Wright dwelled on the chance was soon tackled by a Macc defender.

From that point the Silkmen proved tough to break down and the visitors had chances of their own but were unable to test Quakers keeper David Stockdale.

With Darlington missing captain Steve Foster, replaced at the back by White, Macclesfield continued to attack and on the hour mark Martin Gritton equalised.

The Macc striker beat the offside trap and Ian Miller for pace before slotting home, and just four minutes later the visitors were 2-1 ahead thanks to Ryan Cresswell.

The centre-back headed home from a corner taken after Stockdale made a marvellous save to tip over Danny Thomas' effort.

With Martin Smith already on having replaced the injured Foran before the break, Darlington manager Dave Penney quickly made two more changes with Rob Purdie and Ryan Valentine entering the fray and they made an impact.

Five minutes after Cresswell's goal, Cresswell scored again but this time in the wrong net as he headed Quakers' equaliser. Paul Mayo's long throw into Macclesfield's penalty area went past keeper Jonathan Brain off Cresswell under pressure from Darlington's Alan White.

The goal meant Darlington had 20 minutes to secure the three points but, with Keltie constantly at the hub of the action, a goal just would not come.

Quakers desperately pushed for a winner but the nearest they came saw Brain spill a long shot and Wright was not able to poke home the loose ball, meaning the visitors went home with a point from a fair result.

Quakers have now won only six of their 13 home games which is a record that pales in comparison to their away form where they won eight times.

They have another chance to improve their home record when thay host Accrington Stanley on Tuesday (7.30pm kick-off).

Darlington (4-4-2): Stockdale; Austin (Valentine 67), Miller, White, Mayo; Joachim, Keltie, Ravenhill, Foran (Smith 33); Blundell (Purdie 67), Wright. Subs (not used): Cummins, Liversedge.

Macclesfield (4-4-2): Brain; Regan, Cresswell, Hessey, Ashton; I Reid, Ashmore, Dunfield, Thomas (L Reid 85); Gritton (Green 85), Symes. Subs (not used): Dimech, Blackman, Flynn

Attendance: 3,585