The visitors camped in the Stags half in the first quarter of an hour, but were kept out by a side featuring half a dozen of last season's Academy.
Full back Aaron Johnson went into the game celebrating his 18th birthday. He did so in some style, putting in a tremendous try saving tackle which sadly left him with a gaping wound just below a knee. His mother was on hand to whisk him off to North Tees for some stitches, and he was able to return to the clubhouse to continue his birthday celebrations.
While he was getting some speedy treatment Darlington scored two first half tries from close range.
The second half was a more even affair with Liam Liston at the back of a driving maul to get the Stags' first try of the season. Veteran skipper Martin Todd getting the second as he powered his way through the tachles to score from ten metres.
A really useful game for both clubs as the hard tackles came in ,with two Darlington players also having to leave the field after they clashed heads as they stopped a Stags attack up the right wing. Hopefully they'll also make a full recovery.