Nathan Fisher was last night handed a free transfer by Darlington.

He was put on the transfer list soon after the beginning of the season, but there have been no takers for the former Gateshead striker, who has fallen down the pecking order at Quakers.

Wednesday evening's 7-1 win over Harrogate RA saw 17-year-old forward Matty Pennal named on the bench ahead of Fisher, whose final appearance came as a sub in last Saturday's 2-0 win at Ossett Town.

Fisher said: "I'd like to thank the fans for their support as I appreciate it and I'm sorry I didn't work out. I hope the club returns to where it should be."

His only goal this campaign came in the 7-0 win over Kendal Town, his tenth for the club in 41 appearances, many from the bench, after joining in September 2013.

Quakers had to wait several weeks before they could select Fisher as a protracted wait for international clearance, following a spell playing in Thailand, delayed his Darlington debut.

Pennal became Darlington’s latest homegrown player team to step into the senior side during Wednesday’s win, and the teenager’s debut demonstrates that the club’s youth system is producing talent, believes Martin Gray.

The striker was a second half substitute, replacing Graeme Armstrong midway through the second half when Quakers were 5-1 up.

His appearance comes following recent outings for Adam Cocks and Matty Lovegreen, while Tom Young and Lewis Scarr have both been on the bench lately.

“It shows that the youth policy that we’re trying to build is working,” said manager Martin Gray, whose aim since becoming the club’s manager has been to feed teenage talents through to the senior side.

“Matty Lovegreen is a second-year scholar, Adam Cocks and David Mitchell, who played last season, are third years, so we’re slowly bringing them through.

“Lovegreen has been called up for Durham County and that takes priority over league football, so there was a game recently when he couldn’t be on the bench. They’re the rules, County football takes precedence.

“A club like ours has got to be looking to coach young players and put them into the first-team when they’re ready.”

Pennal, from Chilton, came close to scoring a couple of times on Wednesday as Adam Mitchell twice tried to tee him up to score, though he did deliver the ball for Liam Hatch to add the seventh goal.

“He got himself into some great positions in the six-yard and was unlucky not to score,” added Gray.

“All of the subs who came on made an impact. Jordan Robinson was very good in midfield, Hatch got two goals and Matty was a handful, he was a nuisance to Harrogate.”

Cocks, a midfielder from Richmond, has been on loan at Crook Town in the Ebac Northern League this season, but Gray recalled him and has given him a couple of starts, including in the FA Cup at Blyth Spartans when he impressed the boss.

“I thought he was special,” said Gray. “He did really well and, it was his first FA Cup game and he did not give the ball away.

“His use of the ball was good, like all kids he was always going to tire, but his first hour’s performance was great. He’s an intelligent lad and I was delighted with him.”