Darlington's reserve outfit were in action this afternoon at Doncaster Rovers and handed starts to several first team players. The strong reserve outfit included Curtis Fleming, Craig Hignett, Adolfo Gregorio and Mark Convery. Also included in the starting eleven was Mario Noto.

Twelve minutes in and Quakers took the lead after a mistake from Doncaster Rovers and Mark Convery took full advantage and finished well for an early lead. After nearly half an hour played Darlington were forced into a change when Richard Addison suffered an injury and was replaced by Alex Janes. The closest Rovers came in the first half was a long range effort from David Mulligan.

Quakers were better value for their lead at half time but the hosts managed to equalise early in the second half through Chris Beardsley. A corner kick found Beardsley and he glanced a header home. Shortly afterwards Hignett went close as he tried to chip the keeper. Chris Beardsley however put Doncaster ahead for the first time in the game with his second of the match after sixty five minutes. Darlington replied moments later as St Juste powered over from very close range.

Ten minutes after his second goal Beardsley took advantage of a defensive mistake from Quakers and scored Rovers third and secured his hat-trick on seventy five minutes as Rovers took control. With eleven minutes remaining Adolfo Gregorio was replaced for Andrew Bulford but he was unable to help Darlington get back into the game, indeed the hosts went closer to extending their lead in the final ten minutes.

Final score: Doncaster Rovers Res 3-1 Darlington Res

Darlington: Price, Hughes, Addison, McCloud, Mason, Fleming, Mendum, Gregorio, Convery, Hignett, Noto. Subs: Bulford, Janes, St Juste.

Goals: Convery 12th min (1-0), Beardsley 54th min (1-1), Beardsley 65th min (1-2), Beardsley 75th min (1-3).