RA defeat Darlington (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

RA defeat Darlington

8:00am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in Sport By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor

An under-strength Darlington team lost 2-1 at Darlington RA last night.

Trialists Dale Hobson, Jamie Harris, Liam O'Mahoney and Adrian Webster all started the match, as did youth team defender Andrew White, at Brinkburn Road where the RA led 2-0 at the break.

In front of an attendance of 585, Steven Johnson pulled one back against his former club during a second half in which Quakers manager Martin Gray fielded a number of teenagers.

He said: "It was a bit unfair on some of the kids really, to be playing in a match that was quite competitive at times, but the important thing was that Sean Gregan and Amar Purewal got another 90 minutes under their belt."

Webster suffered an early injury while O'Mahoney's trial spell has concluded and he will not be handed a deal by Darlington.

Gray will select a full-strength team this evening against Gateshead when they play their first match at Heritage Park in Bishop Auckland.

Gateshead will send a reserve side so former Quakers Jamie Chandler, Micky Cummins and Liam Hatch will not feature.

However, Jordan Nixon, Rob Ramshaw and Jamie Barton - teenagers who all played in Darlington's first team last season - will play for the Heed who kick-off the Conference season at Luton on Saturday.

Tonight's game kicks-off is 7.30pm with admission £5 and £3 concessions.

Darlington season tickets will be available to purchase this evening, as will tickets for the first match of the season on August 18 against Bishop Auckland.

Darlington: Hobson, Harris, Gregan, White, Gray, O'Mahoney, Webster, Richardson, Amar Purewal, Johnson, Mellanby