Celebrations of the first League game in this corner of East Lancashire since 1962 - marked by a march from Stanley's former home at Peel Park to the Fraser Eagle Stadium - was spoilt by a Darlington side who made experience count.
The Quakers, fresh from a 4-0 opening day victory were never going to make life easy for the League new boys and Kalusivikako Ngoma made his presence known harrying in the midfield from the whistle.
It was Accrington who made the better of the early stages however with Gary Roberts and Andrew Todd showing pace down the flanks, swinging in several testing crosses, dealt with well by Sam Russell in the Darlington goal.
However, the home side could not make their pressure tell and were punished by Darlington just after the half hour.
Michael Cummins was unmarked in the centre of the box and smashed home a volley from Patrick Collins' outswinging corner.
The Quakers were buoyed by the goal and doubled their tally just before half time.
A mix up between Accrington centre back Michael Welch and midfielder Andy Proctor allowed Martin Smith to pounce, slotting the ball low past Ian Dunbavin in the Stanley goal.
Accrington's best chance of the half came ten minutes before Cummins' strike. Roberts latched on to a short corner, his swerving shot tipped around the post by Russell.
In the second half Accrington continued to hunt in vain for their first League goal in more than 40 years.
Substitute Andy Mangan wasted the best chance for the home side heading over from a deflected Gary Roberts cross on the hour mark.
Darlington also had chances to extend their lead with Ngoma's strike cleared off the line by Stanley's Robbie Williams.
The misery was compounded for the home side in the 90th minute when midfielder Proctor was shown a straight red card following an incident with Darlington skipper Clark Keltie in the centre circle.