Southend United v Darlington, 26 August 2000

Darlington grabbed their first win of the new campaign with their first away League success since 25 March. Southend still seemed shellshocked from their 0-5 midweek Worthington Cup defeat at Birmingham, and the visitors looked much the better team even before they netted twice in the space of ten second half minutes. It was Craig Liddle who put Darlo ahead with a carbon-copy of his opener against Exeter a week earlier. Glenn Naylor's right wing corner picked out an unmarked Liddle who powered his header home from six yards. The Shrimpers defensive lapse was followed by a mix up between Phil Whelan and Leo Roget. They left sub Tom Kaak's throughball for each other; Lee Nogan took advantage of their dithering then cooly lobbed keeper Andy Woodman. The Quakers only disappointment would have been that they did not increase their winning margin.