21/01/2008 - Mansfield Town 0 Darlington 1
EFFORT and determination get you so far, but an extra slice of quality makes all the difference.
So while battling Mansfield will argue only a controversial penalty separated them from a Darlington side destined to challenge for promotion, it was their inability to hit back once going behind that was telling.
Try as they might, the Stags just could not produce clear-cut chances to net an equaliser, let alone grab a winner.
And the reason for that was simple. A classy Quakers defence - led by Mansfield-born Steve Foster - was simply too good for them.
Going into the game, Darlington had conceded just 15 League Two goals all season - and a third of those were in a 5-1 defeat at Hereford.
By full-time it was easy to see why, as visiting keeper David Stockdale had precious little to save, with the hosts largely restricted to off-target attempts.
Of course, putting together such a solid rearguard costs the kind of money Mansfield does not have.
It has become almost inevitable this season that Mansfield follow an encouraging result - such as the first League Two away win at Chester - with a disappointing defeat.
Yet at least on this occasion the Stags could not be accused of giving up the ghost prematurely.
Chasing back-to-back victories for the first time this season, Mansfield knew they could climb out of the relegation zone had they won because third-from-bottom Lincoln's game was postponed.
Instead, a third consecutive home loss means another week with the club still in deep trouble.
Apart from the penalty, Mansfield could feel aggrieved about one or two other refereeing decisions.
They were frustrated when Michael Boulding was hauled down by last-man Foster as he appeared to be breaking clear.
But the visitors were slick and pacey on the counter as well as physically strong and, for all Mansfield's second-half possession, created better openings.
So while disappointed, Stags boss Billy Dearden had no real cause for complaint.
What has been eating away at him, though, is his failure to land any fresh blood since the opening of the January transfer window.
On Thursday, left-sided midfielder Peter Gain turned down Mansfield to join Dagenham and a second target, understood to be Crewe striker Tom Pope, has been prevented by his club from coming on loan.
It would have been interesting to see if one, or both, could have lifted the Stags against the Quakers.
But the good news for Dearden is that top-scorer Boulding made a successful comeback from a hamstring injury sustained on New Year's Day.
It may not have been the most enjoyable of afternoons for the 15-goal hitman but his return is nevertheless most welcome with a busy February fixture-list coming up.
Boulding came in up front for Ian Holmes, who dropped to the bench. The same fate befell Chris Wood as Johnny Mullins reverted to his usual right-back role and skipper Jake Buxton came back to partner Gareth Jelleyman in the middle.
Neither side threatened too often before Darlington made the breakthrough on the half hour. Paul Mayo - on loan from Notts County - swung over a left-wing corner and referee Michael Jones, who was right on the spot, adjudged that Buxton was tugging at the shirt of Ian Miller.
It is the type of spot kick that is rarely given, such is the amount of pushing and pulling that goes on from near enough every set piece.
But Richie Foran did not care one jot as he beat keeper Carl Muggleton's outstretched left hand to find the bottom right-hand corner.
A back pass from Foster that Stockdale handled saw Dan Martin's drive charged down but Stephen Dawson fired over the Stags' best opportunity to level in first-half stoppage time.
After the restart, Mansfield found it increasingly tough to break down the Darlington defensive line.
While Foran, Ryan Valentine and Clark Keltie all went close to a second for the visitors, John McAliskey volleyed over what proved to be the hosts' best chance soon after coming off the bench.
In the closing stages, Boulding headed well over from Matt Hamshaw's free-kick but, in truth, a leveller never looked likely.
With Mansfield fans queuing out of the players' car park after the game to get their hands on FA Cup tickets for this Saturday's clash with Middlesbrough, thoughts of the ongoing League Two struggle this week are going to be scarce.
And when you consider it is a rare moment for the Stags in the national spotlight, it is only right the team and supporters enjoy their big day.
But win, lose or draw against Boro, minds will need to be quickly focused again on the bread and butter of the league.
Cup runs are all well and good from a financial point of view, but Mansfield are never going to win such a competition.
Staying up, on the other hand, is something the Stags can achieve if they can show the type of application they did against Darlington.
It is always going to be tough for Mansfield to compete against the promotion-chasing sides at the top who have that much more strength in depth. What is likely to decide the club's fate is how they fare against the Lincolns, Wrexhams and Burys of this league - and that is where they need to improve.