AS far as testing introductions go, Matt Clarke couldn't have picked a more difficult challenge than the one he was thrown into at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Darlington's caretaker manager Martin Gray commented that there was no better man suited to the unenviable task of keeping Hartlepool United's forwards at bay - as the big defender went on to prove at the start of his one-month loan.

In one of the most potent strike-forces in League Two, in Jon Daly and Joel Porter, Clarke's defensive mettle was put to the ultimate test.

But, after playing his part in securing a clean sheet and a hard-earned point, it was almost as if Clarke had never been away - just a few months after leaving Darlington for Bradford City.

Renewing his acquaintance with Joey Hutchinson in central defence, Clarke's understanding with his old team-mate was apparent.

Behind David Wetherall and Mark Bower in the defensive pecking order at Valley Parade, Clarke has been limited to just 72 minutes of football this season.

That single appearance came in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Scunthorpe, in which Clarke was sent off for a professional foul.

But, despite an indifferent start to his Bradford career, it would seem League One football is treating Clarke well.

There is little doubt that Clarke is a confidence player.

At the top of his game there are few better defenders in League Two. At the other end of the scale Clarke has been liable to the odd catastrophic lapse.

And on Saturday, with a point to prove by his own admission, Darlington fans witnessed Clarke at his irrepressible best.

Donning the No.25 shirt, without the responsibility of skippering the side as he did last season, Clarke was a commanding presence at the back, showing few nervy moments, which have hampered his game in the past.

Indeed, on his last visit to Victoria Park, Clarke was a bag of nerves when Quakers bowed out of the Carling Cup last season.

There were few weaknesses on Saturday, however, as Clarke kept the threat of Daly and Porter to a minimum.

As expected in a derby game away from home, the visitors were under the cosh from the whistle.

Daly, who scored in last season's cup success over Quakers, may have had the better of Clarke last time around, but there was to be no repeat on this occasion.

Clarke had Daly in the proverbial back pocket, offering little light for the striker in front of goal. Of the few chances Daly was presented with, Clarke was more than equal.

When the striker burst into the box as early as the second minute, Clarke stood his ground to force Daly off the ball, amid penalty appeals.

Daly was able to get the better of Clarke moments later, out-jumping the defender from Matty Robson's cross, only to see his header comfortably saved by Sam Russell.

Distribution had never been an outstanding feature during Clarke's previous spell with the club.

But, after intercepting Gary Liddle's pass to Daly, the defender confidently turned the ball forward to Julian Joachim with an inch perfect first-time pass.

As well as keeping the threat of Daly to a minimum, Clarke offered even less change to Porter.

In first half injury time the forward was ready to pull the trigger on goal from Daly's square pass, before Clarke's timely intervention inside the box. Again, the defender's reading of the game proved crucial in ensuring the game remained goalless at the interval.

With Porter and Daly intact, Hartlepool's most promising outlet was winger David Foley.

In the 55th minute, and after a jinking run from the impressive Foley, the 19-year-old threaded the ball in to Porter, only for Clarke to intercept.

It was only after the defender blocked from a Porter effort a minute later that Robson was able to get a shot at goal from the rebound, which was easily dealt with by Russell.

That was to be Porter's final contribution on an afternoon of frustration, before being substituted in the 69th minute.

It didn't get much better for strike partner Daly. When waiting to pounce at the back post on a Robson cross, Clarke was again in the right place at the right time to head away.

Clarke's record against Pools - for both Halifax and Quakers - makes miserable reading. In eight previous outings, he'd lost six times and drawn twice, conceding 17 in the process.

As referee Mark Clattenburg brought the 144th derby between the sides to a close, Clarke deservedly secured his first clean sheet against Hartlepool in a Quakers shirt.