A second-string Darlington side had to come from behind to earn a point at relegation-threatened Southport yesterday.

Aman Verma levelled midway through the second period on a day in which manager Mark Cooper made his priorities clear by fielding a host of fringe players.

With the FA Trophy final taking place a week on Saturday, Cooper made nine changes to the side which beat York City 2-1 on Saturday, with only Greg Taylor and Chris Moore remaining in the line-up.

Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton, Phil Gray, Josh Gray, John McReady and Nathan Modest were among those who were given starts, none of whom had previously started more six games each this season.

Cooper explained that the aim was to rest his regulars, and he said: "I make no apologies for the changes because we had to give some players a breather.

"The game on Saturday took a lot of energy out of us so we had to rest some players which meant one or two players were given an opportunity.

"We need everybody fresh for Wembley."

The effect that the mass alterations had made were evident during a sluggish first half when Southport's desperation for the win was evident.

In the early stages Shaun Whalley skipped past Greg Taylor but his shot towards near post area was blocked by St Louis-Hamilton, and then Karl Lesham curled an effort into side-netting.

And after only 13 minutes came the first goal with John-Paul Kissock netting with a wonderfully hit free-kick.

Coming after Adam Quinn had challenged Matty McNeil from behind near the corner of the penalty area, Kissock drove a rising effort across St Louis-Hamilton inside the far post.

Darlington had been unable to handle Kissock, playing in a position behind the front two strikers, while Quakers were stifled in midfield.

Darlington's first sight of goal did not come until five minutes after Kissock's strike, Michael Smith seeing a low long-range effort easily dealt with by goalkeeper Tony McMillan.

That proved to be a rare attack as John McReady and Verma were unable to provide a creative spark while Darlington's defence relied too often on long balls to Smith which heavyweight Southport defender Earl Davis dealt with easily.

There was a scare just before the break for Darlington when Taylor, captain in the absence of Ian Miller, conceded a foul after a back-pass to St Louis-Hamilton, but the keeper was able to block Shaun Whalley's effort from the free-kick.

Darlington began the second half disappointingly so it was not long before Cooper made a double change, sending on Wright and Paul Arnison for Michael Smith and John McReady.

Soon after Wright started using his physical presence in the manner that had been missing before the break, almost sending Modest away after winning an aerial ball.

Despite the double change, which had seen Moore moved from right-back to right-wing, any improvement had been minimal with Southport keeper McMillan remaining a virtual spectator.

St Louis-Hamilton was equally under-employed as Darlington's defence tightened up, but McMillan suddenly had to be aware when when Moore tried a long-range effort that had to be pushed over for a corner.

And from the resulting set-piece, taken by Gary Smith, Quakers levelled.

Smith's corner reached the far post where Verma, totally unmarked, had time to take a touch before firing into the roof of the net from six yards.

The goal, on 72 minutes, had hardly been coming and it triggered more urgency from the hosts.

Karl Ledsham fired a powerful low effort which rolled wide of the post and St Louis-Hamilton did well to tip over a well-struck McNeil effort.

In the dying minutes Southport's Robbie Williams headed against the post after a long throw, and from a corner McNeil headed over.

Cooper was left disappointed by his side's first half showing, saying: "When your front players don't offer a threat that puts a lot of pressure on your own defence.

"Nathan Modest did okay, but we had no threat in the first half and hardly had a shot.

"In the second half we sent Tommy on and Chris Moore into his proper position and we looked more of a threat.

"I'm not sure if we did enough to win, but I don't think we would have deserved to lose either."