Darlington'S search for a striker came to a dramatic conclusion last night when former Middlesbrough frontman Alun Armstrong agreed to join the club.

The 29-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a short-term deal, which will keep him at the Williamson Motors Stadium until Christmas.

The arrival of Armstrong comes just a week after another ex-Boro star, Craig Hignett, agreed to join Quakers and ends months of frustration for manager David Hodgson, who has been desperate to land a striker.

After a catalogue of injury setbacks Armstrong was made available on a free transfer after failing to earn a new deal at Ipswich.

Permanent deals at Rotherham and Bristol City also fell through and Armstrong now has the opportunity to kick-start his career back in the North-East.

"Alun has an opportunity to get his career up and running again with us," said Hodgson.

"We're delighted because it's a great move for everybody concerned. But we have to accept that if somebody comes in Alun will have the option to move on."

Hodgson revealed that the club's Middlesbrough connection was again an important factor.

Armstrong becomes the tenth former Boro player at Darlington and Hodgson said: "Neil Maddison knows Alun from his Middlesbrough days so he was a big help.

"I've been bugging Maddo all week about Alun and it looks like it's paid off!"

Armstrong will make his debut against Northampton Town on Saturday.

Bradford boss Colin Todd remains keen on Quakers' defender Matt Clarke and an exchange deal was yesterday being mooted.

But Hodgson revealed it is unlikely to involve Dean Windass, who was linked with a move to Quakers during the summer.

The Darlington boss added that much will depend on the fitness of defender Joey Hutchinson. If he fails to recover from a knee injury in time to face Northampton on Saturday, Clarke's switch will be put on hold.

Quakers defender David McGurk has joined York City on a month's loan, with striker Levent Yalcin moving in the opposite direction.

McGurk moves to Bootham Crecsent after recovering from a back injury while Middlesbrough-born Yalcin has made five substitute appearances this season.

* From this Saturday Quakers will carry Darlington Building Society sponsorship logos on the backs of their shirts underneath the players' squad number, and also on the reverse of their shorts.

This wasn't permitted in England but a change in regulations in place from this season now allows such advertising