Danny Greenfield and Mark Anderson were both on target on their returns to the starting eleven as Moors brushed aside Darlington to claim three points at Blackwell Meadows.
The midfield duo were both making their first starts since recovering from injuries and it was their goals which were enough to secure three points as Lewis Dickman’s men bounced back in style from their midweek setback.
Darlington started the brighter in the contest but created little to worry James Montgomery, though the loss of James Curtis to injury during the early stages was another blow Moors had to contend with.
Their growing confidence was underlined on 22 minutes when a good move down the left saw the ball land at the feet of Greenfield who cut inside and unloaded from 20 yards with a swerving shot which squirmed through the grasp of Quakers keeper David Robson and found the net.
Michael Ledger became the next to depart through injury moments later but by then Moors had assumed control of the game and they could have added a second goal when Glen Tayor nodded a header just wide.
There was an even bigger chance on 32 minutes when Rob Ramshaw picked the pocket of a Darlington defender inside their own half and cut the ball across for Will Harris, but the front man swept his effort just off target.
A key moment arrived in first half stoppage time when Darlington’s best move saw Cameron Salkeld escape through on the left of the area to shoot on goal, but Montgomery flew across to his left to make a stunning save.
The second half began with Moors back on top. A series of corners put further pressure on home keeper Robson as Dickman’s men tried to turn their screw on their hosts.
Indeed, Robson had to make a wonderful save just after the hour when he went across to his left to parry Greenfield’s shot round the post after another ball into the box had caused problems.
Moments later the keeper was called into action again, this time reacting well to get a hand to Taylor’s ferocious left-footed drive from 25 yards.
However, he was helpless on 68 minutes when Ramshaw scampered away down the right and cut a teasing ball back across the penalty area which was met perfectly on the half volley by the arriving Anderson and it flashed into the net for 2-0.
The hard-working Harris could have added further gloss when he raced on to Montgomery’s long ball forward but lobbed an effort just wide as Robson came out to close him down, while he also dragged a left-footed shot on goal which the Darlington keeper got down to hold.
Hazel gave some hope to the hosts on 86 minutes when he got on the end of a neat move and swept a lovely finish past Montgomery and that set up a nervy finish.
But Moors showed great determination to see the job through and return from enemy territory with the bragging rights and – more importantly – all three points.
Full Time: Darlington 1 Moors 2
Darlington: Robson, Rowe (Simms 71), Lawlor (Lindley 46), Burton, Griffiths, Winfield (Hedley 66), Platt, Ngandu, Hatfield, Salkeld, Hazell.
Subs not used: Nelson, Windass.
Moors: Montgomery, Ledger (Ferguson 26), Curtis (Mbeka 11), Pollock, Staunton, Anderson (Fielding 74), Ross, Ramshaw, Greenfield, Harris, Taylor.
Subs not used: Gallacher, McKeown.
Booked: Pollock (17)
Referee: Helen Conley
