Macclesfield again had to settle for a point after Quakers' keeper David Stockdale made a tremendous first half penalty save from Kevin McIntyre.

The Macc left back, who fired in nine spot-kicks last season, saw his well hit effort tipped round the post in the 16th minute.

Ian Brightwell gave Jimmy McNulty his first start of the season at the back after Carl Regan failed a late fitness test with a hamstring problem for the visit of the unbeaten league leaders.

Macc conceded a string of corners in the opening exchanges - the visitors coming close through Steve Foster's flicked header from six yards.

Good control from Martin Gritton allowed Adam Murray to fire a shot in from the edge of the area and after it was blocked Darlo broke down the other end.  Tommy Wright reached the forward ball before Tommy Lee and just as he looked to finish into an open goal McNulty made a brilliant saving challenge to clear.

Gritton blasted a half volley wide from a tight angle which just eluded Francis Green at the far post on 15 minutes and Macc were awarded the penalty just moments later.

A short Murray corner found Danny Thomas in space and the tricky winger was tripped just a few feet inside the box by Tim Ryan.

McIntyre stepped up and side footed low into the bottom corner, but Stockdale parried the ball wide diving full length to his right.

Chances were few and far between after the penalty drama, with Macc having more possession and the visitors looking for balls over the top with Wright and Pawel Abbott keeping the linesman busy with his flag.

Richard Edghill almost broke the deadlock on 41 minutes - the former Manchester City full back skipped past his man on the right and fired just wide through a crowded penalty area.

Wright looked to be in on goal just before the break after nifty footwork from Abbott, but McIntyre reacted quickly to slide the ball clear before being caught late by the Quakers frontman.

Ex-Huddersfield striker Abbott was soon back into the action after half time, flicking the ball wide from Chris Palmer's cross from the left.

Darlington saw more of the ball in the early part of the second period although they rarely tested Lee as Macc struggled to kick into gear going forward.

The best passing move of the game came on 70 minutes, culminating in Green finding Gritton on the edge of the box and after the former Grimsby hitman had knocked the ball past his man he saw his 15 yard drive palmed clear by the keeper.

Micky Cummins headed tamely at Lee following substitute Kevin McBride's cross from the right and Darlington should have gone in front when Ian Harty blasted straight at Lee with the goal at his mercy in the 77th minute.

Gareth Evans replaced Gritton for the last five minutes and the only real chance fell to Thomas who smashed into the side netting when found by Green's clever pass on the left.

The result was probably a fair reflection of a game with few clear-cut chances at either end and both sides had their keepers to thank for making a tremendous save each.

Macc remain unbeaten but still search for that vital first league win under Ian Brightwell.  Next up is a trip to Edgar Street to visit Hereford after Tuesday's game against Wrexham was postponed.

Andy Brinkhurst