Swindon 1 Darlington 2

Campbell (30 mins 0-1, 60 mins, 1-2), Pitman (40 mins, 1-1)

What a fantastic performance as Quakers reached the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in 10 years by beating League One Swindon, 68 places above them on the football ladder. It's also the first time as a fan-owned club that we have reached the second round proper of the Emirates FA Cup.

The final whistle sparked great celebrations on the field between Alun Armstrong, his management team and the players, and they were fully deserved after they shocked the League One side.

Perhaps Quakers enjoyed a little bit of FA Cup luck -- check Adam Campbell's second goal -- but who could deny them after they battled all the way through the game, and controlled the remainder of the game after Campbell put them back in front.

Swindon were reduced to long hopeful balls for the last 15 minutes, and that suited Quakers down to the ground.

Quakers will be ball number 10 in the second round draw on Monday night.

Adam Campbell was the matchwinner with both goals, but every single Darlington player produced a top class performance in one of their best ever away performances in the FA Cup. 

And considering as well that Quakers didn't have their usual training facilities during the week, and trained at Mowden Park Rugby Club. There weren't any goalposts, so they had to use jumpers and tracksuits.

Quakers had a free kick in the first minute on the right which was taken by Reid, but cleared by the Swindon defence.

Swindon forced a corner in the third minute, but Quakers got the ball away without much trouble.

Quakers then had a good spell of pressure, knocking the ball about well without getting into the Swindon box.

Swindon won a free kick just outside the box on 9 minutes which Payne floated into the box for Odimayo to put in a header that Saltmer saved well.

Swindon broke away on 12 minutes through Joel Grant, but Saltmer parried his shot well.

Quakers had the ball in the net on 20 minutes when Luke Charman turned in Campbell’s cross but he was flagged offside, then Campbell had a shot from the edge of the box saved by Kovar.

After a brief interruption while a match official went off the field, Grant almost got through again, but Nicky Hunt got in a great tackle.

Quakers took the lead on 30 minutes when Swindon defender, Jonathan Grounds and keeper Matej Kovar got in a tangle just inside their area, and Adam Campbell pounced on a loose headed back pass by Grounds and rolled the ball into the net!!

Quakers were then pushed back into the final third, and Swindon levelled on 40 minutes when Joel Grant laid the ball back from a pass by Matthew Smith for Brett Pitman to tap in.

But Quakers deservedly held on until the half time whistle.

Half time

Swindon 1 Darlington 1

In the second half, Swindon got into the Darlington box when Grant broke through on the left and crossed for Stevens to have a shot blocked by Liddle.

Stevens then made a good run and backheeled the ball for Grant to fire over the top.

But Quakers went in front on the hour again. This time, Campbell picked the ball up 25 yards out, struck it and Kovar seemed to have it covered until the ball hit a defender, wrong footed the keeper, and went in!!!

Quakers had loud penalty appeals turned down on 73 minutes when Rivers seemed to be tripped as he dribbled into the area on the right, and went down, but the ref waved play on.

Quakers nearly went 3-1 up when Campbell broke away, but Kovar blocked his shot.

After that, Quakers were in control, taking the ball into corners and winning free kicks in the opposition half of the field.

In the end, Swindon just hit hopeful long balls that either went out of play or straight through to Johnny Saltmer.

What a day, what a performance. One of the best ever Darlington FA Cup wins!!!

Swindon Town 1 Darlington 2

Here's what Alun thought about the game:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-it-wasnt-a-fluke

Darlington: Saltmer, Hedley, Hunt, Storey, Liddle: Wheatley, Holness (sub Atkinson 78), Reid; Rivers, Campbell, Charman

Subs: Watson, Laing, Maguire, Hudson, Minter, Amantchi

Booking: Hedley,Hunt

Swindon

Kovar, Caddis, Grounds,  Odimayo, Stevens, M Smith, A Grant, Iandolo (sub Hunt 77), Payne (Hope 66), R Grant, Pitman

Subs: Fryer, Baudry, Curran, Holland

Booking: Grounds, Iandolo