Alun Armstrong appeared emotional at full-time as Darlington finally ended their losing streak.

After four defeats during which Darlington failed to score, resulting in some supporters calling for a change of manager, his team overcame Chester 2-1 at Blackwell Meadows.

They fought back from going 1-0 down to secure three much-needed points, goals from Junior Mondal and George Smith ending the barren run and lift Quakers up to 14th.

Each side, both in mid-table, came into the contest in poor form, and Darlington fans feared the worst when Chester took the lead on 17 minutes.

Goalkeeper Tommy Taylor parried Declan Weeks’ effort from distance, but Marcus Dackers was on hand to tap home the loose ball to make it 1-0.

But Darlington responded well, levelling five minutes later through the recalled Mondal.

Armstrong this week recalled the forward from Marske United, putting him straight into the starting XI – dropping Tyrone O’Neill - as he tried another method of ending the goalless run.

Mondal spent the past month at Marske by scoring six goals in six games, and he brought his shooting boots back to Darlington by finding another goal here, clipping the ball over Wyll Stanaway at close-range after a cross by Jake Cassidy to make it 1-1.

Taylor tipped over a fierce Weeks drive over the bar before half-time, while Cassidy had penalty appeals turned down when clattered by the Chester keeper, but Darlington started the second half strongly.

Both Mondal and Jarrett Rivers were off-target with efforts, before Smith struck in the 58th minute after a fine team move.

A series of passes led to Jack Lambert providing an assist, laying the ball off for marauding left-back Smith to drill home across the penalty area.

It was a strike not dissimilar to a fondly-remembered winner in 1998 against Burnley by Mark Barnard, who was guest of honour at Blackwell, and just like that goal Smith’s strike also proved to be the winner.

With a victory so important, Armstrong sent on Alex Storey for the closing stages, an extra centre-back, to help see out the contest and there was a huge sigh of relief at full-time.

Armstrong has been under-fire from some quarters lately, today’s win described as ‘make of break’ by some.

As he applauded the Darlington fans in the Tin Shed and patted his chest, the victory and the toll of the past miserable few weeks was clear as the manager celebrated a crucial win.

Darlington (4-4-2): Taylor; Hedley, Ellis, Lawlor, Smith; Rivers (Purver 76), Hatfield, Rose, Lambert (Dos Santos 90); Cassidy, Mondal (Storey 86). Subs not used: O’Neill, Griffiths

Chester (4-4-2): Stanaway; Roberts, Williams, Grand, Fitzpatrick; Burke, Roache (Waring 63), Weeks, Apter (Horsfield 51); Stephenson (Simmonds 46), Dackers. Subs not used: Grey, Okagbue