CAN we play you every week
That is what Darlington fans were asking of Rotherham United after seeing their side beat the Millers for the second time inside three weeks.
In mid-January Quakers triumphed 2-1 at the Don Valley Stadium to record only their third win of the season.
Number four came on Saturday with goals either side of half-time from Tadhg Purcell and Gareth Waite enough to ensure Darlington maintain a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.
Jubilant home fans were celebrating their first win on home soil for three months, thus the chant suggesting Quakers play the promotionchasing Yorkshiremen on a more regular basis.
Though only a humorous dig, nobody was going to mention it to Millers' manager Ronnie Moore.
The Scouser was seething, reckoned that losing twice to Darlington in quick succession represents the most embarrassing moment of his career.
Disappointed It's embarrassing, that's how disappointing it is, he snapped.
I'm embarrassed to lose six points against the bottom of the league team and if the players aren't embarrassed then they want locking up. We didn't play well, we were awful. I'm as embarrassed as I've ever been as a manager.
How Darlington manager Steve Staunton ranks the victory in his career remains unknown, for he chose not to speak to the media after the game.
But it is fair to assume he was satisfied with the workrate his determined players showed in completing the double over a club whose managerial position he applied for before the Darlington job became available.
Quakers might have occasionally played better football this season, but it's points they are after, not plaudits.
An energetic, dogged determination deprived Rotherham of time on the ball, especially their defenders who were forced into playing a succession of aimless long balls.
Staunton's assistant Kevin Richardson was satisfied with the players' application, saying: Everybody put in a good shift, including the boys who came on as subs.
You've got to put in the work, commitment and endeavor to get a good result and I think the lads did everything they possibly could.
You can't afford to carry anyone who is not doing a shift. I thought everybody put in a workmanlike effort, and in that situation you're just looking for that little bit of magic or a quality cross to open a team up.
That moment came when Irishman Purcell put Darlington ahead on 19 minutes.
After Waite, excellent in the air, had won a header deep into opposition territory, Purcell's low drive from 20 yards deflected in off Curtis Main.
As all strikers do, the teenager tried to claim the goal. Not surprising really because if you are going to stand out by wearing bright yellow boots, as Main did, the pressure is on to impress.
He need not have worried as he had teed up Purcell for his third goal in four games. Already the January signing is Darlington's top scorer.
Quakers keeper Shane Redmond raced from his goal to stop Adam Le Fondre, but almost gifted an equaliser by giving possession away, however Danny Harrison's longrange lob was off target.
With little else of note occurring during the first half, Darlington reached half-time at 1-0 but it was 2-0 soon after the restart thanks to moment Waite will never forget.
He stabbed home from close-range to score his first for the club after Main and strike-partner Mor Diop had combined on the right.
Quakers were suddenly 2-0 up and cruising. They continued to harrow and hassle Moore's men who enjoyed more possession edging it at 52 per cent but did little to trouble Redmond.
The keeper had Ian Miller to thank for a superb challenge on Le Fondre close to goal on the hour.
A goal then would have really tested Darlington's nerve for the final 30 minutes but, thanks to Miller, Quakers remained two goals ahead.
It could so easily have been 3-0 as Scottish striker Patrick Deane, on as a sub, was unfortunate not to score his first for the club.
He saw a goal-bound diverted wide by a defender, and as the final whistle approached unhappy Rotherham fans began to chant for Moore's head.
Yet their side is fifth and remain in the hunt for promotion; they should try being bottom of the table all season.
Though Darlington being in the Blue Square Premier next season remains likely, those feint survival hopes will gradually turn into belief with a few more three-point hauls.
Another tomorrow evening at home to fifth-bottom Lincoln City would do nicely.
Match facts Goals:
1-0: Purcell (19, rifled low shot from 20 yards, via a deflection, past the keeper)
2-0: Waite (52, slammed home from close-range after being played in by Diop)
Bookings: White (13, foul), Main (42, foul); Broughton (75, foul); Madden (78, time wasting)
Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northampton) Neither team had any major gripes with the official's performance 8
Attendance: 2,231
Entertainment:
DARLINGTON (4-4-2):
6 Redmond: Had little to do and, other than one first half scare, did everything comfortably;
6 Madden: Steady defending down the right though the Millers hardly tested him
7 Miller: At 2-0 a superb challenge on Le Fondre almost certainly prevented a goal
7 White: Kept a close eye on Rotherham's forwards who saw little of the ball
7 Giddings: Had plenty to deal with his down his flank but proved equal to most of it;
7 J Smith: Received warm applause when subbed following one of his best displays for Darlington
8 WAITE: Couldn't have missed his scoring chance, but deserved to notch in another commanding 90 minutes
6 Dempsey: Quietly efficient in midfield though overshadowed by Waite's
7 Purcell: Took his goal very well in another all-action performance on the left-wing;
7 Main: Contributed to both goals in a hard-working display
6 Diop: Provided his usual nuisance value and it was his footwork which teed up Waite for his goal
Subs:
Deane (for Diop 61): Did not have a major impact though unfortunate not to see a goal-bound shot blocked 5 Mulligan (for Main 70): First appearance since November. Kept Darlington's shape in the closing stages 5
Gray (for J Smith 85) (not used): Liversedge (gk), Byrne, G Smith, Groves
ROTHERHAM UNITED (4-4-2):
Warrington 6; Tonge 6, Fenton 5, Sharps 5, GUNNING 7; Cummins 6 (Broughton 61, 5), Harrison 5 (Marshall 75), Mills 4 (Roberts 55, 5), Law 5; Pope 5, Le Fondre 5.
Subs (not used): Lund (gk), Joseph, Ellison, Taylor
MAN OF THE MATCH
GARETH Waite has comfortably made the transition from Northern League to Football League.
Source: Northern Echo
LIVE SCORES
