Martin Smith's first goal for Northampton Town earned the Cobblers their first League win since mid-March and left the Quakers pointless after three games.
Smith, one of Northampton's many summer signings, curled in a delightful free-kick with his left foot two minutes before the break to bring a smile to the face of home boss Martin Wilkinson.
The hosts were one of the favourites for promotion before a ball was kicked but needed this victory after two solitary goal defeats.
"That was a relief," Wilkinson admitted after the match.
"Obviously I'm happy but I don't know about joy. I just wish we were scoring a few goals from open play." Wilkinson made it clear he was not a fan of Darlington's direct 'launch it' style but for all the home dominance, the visitors could easily have nicked a point.
Barry Conlon sent a free header over the bar from six yards in the first half and substitute Glen Robson went close with a fierce shot after he cut inside at the end of a surging run three minutes from time.
Smith could have been on the scoresheet before his goal, having a 20th-minute snapshot pushed away by Andy Collett before seeing the Quakers keeper deny him on the near post six minutes later.
Northampton's record signing, Josh Low, will have better nights and he twice blazed over inside a minute midway through the second half.
Darlington boss Mick Tait was unhappy that a cracking fourth-minute volley from Craig Liddle was ruled out for offside against another player but said: "I can't fault my lads for the effort they put in tonight.
"You can't legislate for chances being missed such as the one Conlon has put over the bar." Northampton visit Yeovil Town on Monday in what looks an intriguing early season battle and Wilkinson added: "Teams get into runs of wins and losses that effect confidence so with Monday's match in mind it was vital we got a result tonight."