A NERVY opening failed to stop record signing Andy Ducros turn only his fifth Football League start of 2001/2002 into a successful one.

Ducros netted the winner and had numerous other efforts at goal in a three-man attack alongside Bo Henriksen and Ian Foster.

It was the first time Ducros had played the full 90 minutes this season and it appears the 24-year-old's intensive fitness programme from a few months back is paying off.

The former England youth international said: "As the game went on, I felt I got more into it. I was a bit nervous at the start but was definitely getting more confident.

"I was having a few shots on goal and was really enjoying the game. By the end, I felt as good as I have done for a long time.

"I should have scored in the first half. Fozzie (Foster) had his first shot blocked and I had an easy chance but didn't hit it too well.

"It was blocked on the line but it's come back to me and the defender's stuck his leg out again and cleared. I couldn't believe it."

Darlington kept it defensively tight at first but Ducros insisted: "They sat behind the ball but I felt quite confident that we could get a goal.

"They came out a little bit after the goal and we had a few more chances and could have won by a lot more.

"It's good with the three strikers as there's not so much onus on staying in the same position and I can drift a bit."

Ducros has put in some good reserve displays of late but had been kept out of the first team until injuries let him in.

The £80,000 signing added: "After that fitness regime, I played a few reserve games and the Worcestershire Senior Cup match.

"I was doing OK but the team was doing so well that it was hard to get back in. We've got a good squad of more than 20 first team players.

"If we can do well in the second half of the season now and keep playing like we have done, there's no reason why we cannot stay around the play-offs."

Redditch-based Ducros will be hoping to keep his first-team place and displays like Saturday will have done him no harm.

He has now scored three times this season, including an opening day free-kick against Saturday's opponents Scunthorpe United.