Darlington were flat in their home game with Leamington, held to a draw and they did not deserve any more than that.

Whereas they were unfortunate to lose last week at Chorley and had won their previous two matches at Blackwell Meadows, today was a limp performance.

Leamington frustrated Quakers by defending in numbers, yet they almost won it at the death.

It is a result that means the sides remain level on points and mired in midtable after what was an uneventful afternoon, though it started well for Quakers.

Kevin Dos Santos’ shot drew a fine save from Jake Weaver, but he soon put Quakers ahead after 18 minutes.

The winger’s rising drive after meeting Jarrett Rivers’ right-wing cross was the reward after a reasonable opening for Alun Armstrong’s men.

Leamington were second best, yet they equalised 11 minutes later when Dan Turner latched onto a ball over the top, and slotting beyond Tommy Taylor after exploiting hesitancy in the centre of Quakers’ defence, where Danny Ellis was unavailable so Jake Cooper returned to play alongside Alex Storey.

Quakers believed the striker received the ball in an on offside position, but their appeals were ignored by referee Daniel Locker, so Leamington were level after what had been their only shot of the half.

Thereafter it was scrappy until half-time, neither side finding any rhythm.

Leamington were indebted to Weaver for a fantastic save soon after the restart as he pushed away Jake Cassidy’s snapshot, a rare moment in which Quakers broke through a Leamington team that defended in numbers.

Manager Alun Armstrong made only one change, deciding against giving Andrew Nelson any game time, and sending on Jack Lambert.

He made an impact in the final third, and one nifty turn set up Will Hatfield but he dragged his shot wide.

Leamington almost snatched it in injury time when Anderson was through on goal, but Taylor did well to save.

Darlington (4-4-2): Taylor; Griffiths, Storey, Cooper, Hedley; Rivers, Hatfield, Wheatley, Dos Santos (Lambert 68); Charman, Cassidy. Subs not used: Purver, Mondal, Rose, Nelson

Leamington (4-5-1): Weaver; Martin, Morrison, Lane, Meredith; Parker (English 88), Clarke, Edwards, Willis (Gittings 68), Cook (Anderson 76); Turner. Subs not used: Kelly-Evans, Allen