Cheltenham, who are now virtually certain of a play-off place, will be happier with the point although Darlington, who played well for much of the game, will be encouraged by their performance.
There was controversy as well with both teams reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes following a clash between Cheltenham's Michael Townsend and Matt Appleby of Darlington.
Referee Lee Probert had spoken to the pair about their ongoing confrontations only moments before, and when Townsend went to ground holding the back of his head the referee deemed that both players had been guilty of violent conduct in equal measure.
Before all that, the first half had been dominated by the visitors, who played only one man up front but used their extra midfielder to good effect.
Darlington will have been disappointed not to have gone into the break ahead. Their best chances fell to Jonjo Dickman, who hooked over the bar from close range then saw an attempted clearance from John Finnigan cannon back off him and towards goal. Cheltenham goalkeeper Shane Higgs was forced to dive full length to save.
Darlington midfielder Anthony Peacock also went close with a lob from the edge of the box after a punch from Higgs had landed at his feet with the goalkeeper out of position.
Cheltenham offered little as an attacking force during the first half, although winger Brian Wilson went close with a 25-yard free-kick right on the stroke of half-time.
The home side stepped up their challenge after the break but found themselves a goal down after 50 minutes when Neil Wainwright headed in from an Anthony Peacock cross.
Cheltenham's Grant McCann levelled 10 minutes later from the penalty spot after Akpo Sodje had fouled John Finnigan in the box; and after the sendings-off it became end-to-end stuff.
Cheltenham had the better chances in the closing stages with Finnigan heading against the bar and Damian Spencer nodding just wide, but a draw was probably a fair result between two teams who may yet meet again this season in the play-off competition.
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