Jim Gannon made three hanges from the side that lost their unbeaten record at MK Dons in midweek.
Tony Kane, Adam Griffin and James Tunnicliffe came in for Keith Briggs, Michael Rose and the suspended Rob Clare.
Darlo included Alun Armstrong making his first return to Edgeley Park following his record £1.6 move to Middlesbrough in February 1998.
The first chance of the game fell to the feet of Adam Griffin, who latched onto the end of a loose ball from just inside the box, however his curling shot was dealt with well by Stockdale.
GOAL! It was Darlington that took the lead on the 8th minute mark though, when Martin Smith was given the time to volley home from just a few yards out. There was nothing Spencer could do but watch on.
County had the opportunity to level just two minutes later when Tony Dinning's free-kick from just outside the D crashed against the Darlo wall. However, from the loose ball, Stephen Gleeson fed a delightful deep ball across the goalmouth, but no County forwards could penetrate the goal.
GOAL! County were back on level terms 18 minutes in when Adam Proudlock won the ball in the middle of the park, he fed out the ball to David Poole who found Tes Bramble in space. The big man's initial attempt was blocked but he was able to convert when Stockdale fumbled the ball.
County nearly took the lead 3 minutes later when Stephen Gleeson's wicked volley from the edge of the area, went marginally wide.
GOAL! County were ahead on the 25th minute when Adam Proudlock was fed the ball in the area and he converted with ease, by slotting the ball past Stockdale in the Darlo goal.
GOAL! County were on cloud nine when on the 33rd minute Tony Dinning headed home from just a few yards out to clinch his first goal since returning to the club. His delight was plain to see.
GOAL! The scoreline was an unbelievable 4-1 on the 37th minute when Tes Bramble won the ball on the edge of the area and coolly slotted past the despairing Feethams keeper. Merry Christmas everyone!
GOAL! Darlington grabbed one back when James Spencer was adjudged to have brought down Armstrong in the area and the number 10 slotted home underneath Spencer's body with the resulting spot kick.
Half time: County 4 Darlington 2
Some good build up play between Proudlock and Poole released Tes Bramble, but from the same position as earlier he could only see his shot float wide.
Despite a positive approach in front of goal, County looked a little suspect at the back and Julian Joachim was given time to almost claw back a third when his mazy run and first time shot went just over the bar.
County very nearly made it a fifth when David Poole dummied his man on the right wing and put a delightful ball to the feet of Tes Bramble whose slight touch was easily blocked by Stockdale.
GOAL! County managed to rest some of the Cheadle End jitters when Stephen Gleeson grabbed The Hatters fifth with a header at the far post to send the home fans into a frenzy. Proudlock, inevitably, was behind it when he somehow hooked the ball across goal to leave the 'keeper stranded.
County went in search of an elusive sixth as Darlington soaked up some immense pressure. However, the away side to their credit created a number of good chances as well. Most notably Brian Close, whose mazy run into the box nearly resulted in a good individual goal. Luckily for County though, Spencer was equal to it.
On the 80th minute, former legend Alun Armstrong was replaced by Simon Johnson and was given a rousing reception from both sets of supporters.
County nearly had their sixth when Tony Dinning burst into the box. He played the ball off to Proudlock, who in turn passed back to his captain but the skipper could only shoot wide.
In the end, though, County had to settle for 5 goals on an afternoon when the ripped the Quakers defence to pieces.
Man of the Match:
Adam Proudlock. Was at another level today. Awesome signing and a real asset to the club.
Yellow Cards
County: Spencer 38, Griffin 53
Darlington: Close 10, Collins 13, Wainwright 24
