IT took only eight minutes for new signing Joe Tait to set up Darlington’s latest win by sweeping the ball into the net, marking his return in perfect style. Quakers went on to win 2-0 at Harrogate RA on Saturday with Stephen Thompson also scoring, writes Craig Stoddart.

A heavy pitch and a slope more suited for use at the Winter Olympics meant the conditions were as big a threat to Darlington as Harrogate were, yet Quakers dealt admirably with the situation and were deserving winners from the moment Tait put them ahead.

Thompson scored Quakers’ second, volleying home from ten yards just before the break to reach 20 for the season.

Although he got the final touch, it was a team goal that involved several passes before Terry Galbraith crossed to Amar Purewal, who set up Thompson.

It was an uphill struggle to muster much in the way of excitement, though the bulk of the 1,026 attendance went away satisfied.

Darlington’s Yorkshire contingent attended en masse, contributing towards a figure larger than some seen at Heritage Park.