But the home side were never in the game as Mansfield avenged their defeat earlier in the season in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The Stags began well and the home side gifted them the opening goal after only four minutes when Darlo keeper David Stockdale mis-kicked the ball on the edge of his penalty area, which allowed Mansfield captain Richie Barker to pick up the loose ball before firing a low drive into the unguarded net.
As the hosts continued to struggle the visitors went close to a second goal in the 15th minute, when striker Michael Boulding looked certain to score before a last-ditch challenge from home defender Brian Close saved Darlington.
A minute later Close was in action again when he tackled Matt Hamshaw inside the area after the Town winger's strong run down the right flank had seen him set up a goal scoring chance.
Boulding was again denied, this time by Stockdale who saved point blank in the 17th minute.
Darlington's first chance of the game came in the 23rd minute when defender Patrick Collins met a Craig James free-kick with a powerful header that went inches over the crossbar, with Town keeper Jason White struggling.
Disjointed Darlington were kept under the cosh and further chances were squandered by the visitors when Barker headed over the crossbar and substitute Nathan Arnold fired wide from a good position in the 33rd minute.
In a rare attack for the hosts White was called into action when tipping a Martin Smith shot around the post six minutes from the break.
There was an early scare for the home side in the second half when Barker put a far-post header wide from Simon Brown's left-wing cross.
The win was sealed by substitute Arnold in the 62nd minute when the home defence failed to clear a right-wing free-kick and he raced into the area, before firing low past Stockdale with angled drive from ten yards out.
As Darlington fell to their sixth straight defeat there were further chances for the visitors.
In the 70th minute Barker put an easy chance over the bar from six yards out after Stockdale had spilled a shot from Brown and then four minutes from time defender Johnny Mullins headed over the crossbar from close range.