A superb Sean Thornton strike earned Shrewsbury a deserved draw with fellow promotion favourites Darlington.

Alan White's header in 55 minutes from Franz Burgmeier's near post free-kick gave the Quakers the lead.

Quakers' Liam Hatch headed wide from Neil Austin's set-piece on the hour as Dave Penney's side scented victory.

But ex-Sunderland midfielder Thornton - on loan from Leyton Orient - hit a long range effort in 71 minutes to earn Paul Simpson's side a point.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, White, Foster, Kennedy, Ravenhill, Burgmeier, Purdie, Ryan, Clarke (Blundell 87), Hatch. Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Poole, Hulbert, Proudlock.

Booked: Ravenhill, Kennedy, Hatch.

Goals: White 55.

Shrewsbury: Daniels, Jackson, Coughlan, Hibbert (Walker 67), Herd, Davies, Holt, Tierney, Cansdell-Sherriff (Ashton 67), Thornton, McIntyre. Subs Not Used: Garner, Langmead, Hindmarch.

Booked: Jackson, Coughlan, Holt, Thornton, Herd.

Goals: Thornton 71.

Att: 2,899

Ref: Chris Sarginson