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After a torrid week in which his tenure has been called into question, his side ended a six-game winless run with a solid, if unspectacular, display against relegation-threatened Newport.
A controversial penalty when Tadhg Purcell fell when turning Newport skipper Gary Warren set Darlington on their way on the half-hour – Marc Bridge-Wilkinson scoring.
It was tough on a struggling Newport side who came into the game on the back of a 10-game winless run.
Liam Hatch set up Purcell to score his first since returning to the club on loan, his 44th-minute shot just crossing the line via the hand of keeper Glynn Thompson.
The sense of the relief in the Arena was almost tangible, and Darlington defended solidly in the second half to start October with something they didn’t manage throughout September – a win.
Newport might have pulled one back on 59 minutes when Soderberg dropped Tom Miller’s long throw in and Scott Rogers fired over.
But the 21-year-old keeper can be pleased with his clean sheet on his senior debut.
Mark Cooper: “I have watched him, and he is highly rated by Newcastle goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman, who I played with.
“Soderberg dropped a couple but he came for the ball and when a keeper dos that defenders know where they stand. He’s done well.”