So few chances were forthcoming that both sides registered just one effort on target throughout the 90 minutes - Max Hunt seeing his firm header scrambled off the line by Jack Maskell from Billy Fewster's 12th minute corner, then after 34 minutes George Willis pulling off a defiant save from a Matty Cornish rasper.

The Quakers were on their way to a fourth straight clean sheet whilst the Reds made it six games unbeaten since the opening day defeat at Southport.

Dwayne Wiley and Max Hunt paired up for their first start together at the heart of the defence and formed a solid unit, but Darlington's dogged rear-guard were also effective, a major ingredient in a facile and visually turgid stalemate.

Best of the openings for Alfreton came after the break with Hunt skimming a header just wide from a 65th minute Josh Clackstone cross, then right at the end Jake Day headed narrowly off-target after Jed Abbey had latched on to a Clackstone throw.

Hunt had earlier needed to tackle back to quell an attacking threat from Maskell, then Willis had to make a timely dash from goal as Cornish was played through, but a pot-shot from Scott Barrow from 40 yards that sailed high and wide just about summed up proceedings.

Nevertheless it was a very good point gained on the road ahead of a big clash back at Fortress Impact Arena against Scarborough Athletic

ALFRETON: Willis; Clackstone, Hunt, Wiley, Newall, Cantrill, Waldock,
Perritt, Fewster [Whitehouse 78], Abbey, Moyo [Day 64].
other subs; Salmon. Anson, Askew.

Referee: Gareth Thomas
Attendance: 1377