After their drubbing at Mansfield on Saturday Notts County picked themselves up to produce one of their best displays of the season - but yet again they were denied a win at home.
Notts have not won in front of their own fans since April but the small crowd who saw this one recognised that it was only poor shooting that caused the loss of two points.
Darlington were always second best and when they equalised 20 minutes from the finish, it was - unbelievably - there first effort on target.
Manager Gary Mills made only two changes to his side but obtained above par performances from some who were not given the axe.
Midfield, where Notts have been weakest all season, brought a vast improvement with Stefan Oakes, their man of the match and Paul Bolland not far behind him.
The two sprayed the ball around with Tony Scully and Chris Palmer responding well on the flanks.
Palmer, ex Derby County, struck a superb free-kick to fashion the opening goal. Glynn Hurst got on the end of it to divert the ball wide of Darlington goalkeeper Sam Russell for his ninth goal of the season.
Yet as Notts continued piling up chances Hurst spoiled his reputation by firing wide with the proverbial "sitter".
Darlington sensed that they could still be something in the game for them and after a lovely right-wing move Alan Armstrong got their 70th minute equaliser with a brave header.
For all County's dominance Darlington nearly stole it right at the end. Ian Clarke's superb finish brought the best save of the night out of Deeney who tipped it over this bar one handed.