SURVIVAL IS ELEMENTARY FOR WATSON

STEVE Watson says he always believed Darlington could pull off The Great Escape in National League North.

- Tony Bugby

That belief has been reinforced by three wins in the last four games for the Quakers ahead of yesterday's crucial basement battle at home to Banbury United.

Tuesday's victory at Curzon Ashton was the first time since December 2022 that Darlington had secured back-to-back wins which left them three points from safety not too long ago they were cut adrift by a daunting nine.

Watson, the former Premier League star with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton, was appointed at Blackwell Meadows on New Year's Eve, becoming the club's third manager of the campaign following the departures of Alun Armstrong and Josh Gowling.

And the former Gateshead, York and Chester, admits this has been his biggest challenge of his career.