The first half was a more even affair than the second with County creating
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Good left wing play and a delightful cross by County fullback Stephen Hunt was met with a sharp, powerful header by Ryan Jarvis, on loan from Norwich City, which Stockdale did well to turn round his right hand post.
As Notts kept up the barrage Jason Lee - still looking for his first goal of the season - grazed the same post with a short range header.
Then, in the 43rd minute, Darlington served notice as Bryan Hodge, a central midfielder, struck the bar with a splendid effort that seemed to elude home goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington.
A minute after that Pilkington was picking the ball out of the net. Ricky Ravenhill was offered two chances, the second of which he turned gleefully inside the goalkeeper's right hand post for what turned out to be the decisive strike of the
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The chief culprit for Darlington's failure to add a second "killer" goal was Rob Purdie who somehow failed to capitalise with the visitors' three best chances.
On all three occasions Purdie wastefully lifted the ball over the County bar as Darlington time and again proved extremely dangerous with spirited and well-worked breakaways.
Their main spring was veteran Julian Joachim who had an inspired first 45 minutes before somewhat running out of steam later.
Darlington's back four defended their lead well, keeping Stockdale's anxieties to a minimum and nobody was more thickly in the fray than ex-Notts captain Alan White, whose struggles with Lee were one of the features of the game.
Notts lost key players Stephen Hunt and Gavin Strachan to injuries, with both now doubtful for the weekend.