Darlington manager Mick Tait last night ran the rule over former Middlesbrough midfielder Keith O'Halloran.

The 27-year-old, released by Second Division Swindon Town at the end of last season, played in last night's reserves defeat to Boston United at the Reynolds Arena.

The Dublin-born player is desperate to kick-start his career after failing to earn a new contract at the County Ground following a broken leg which forced him to miss most of last season.

O'Halloran spent a brief spell on trial with Quakers this season but returned to his home in Wiltshire after failing to prove his fitness.

However, after Tait promised the player another chance to impress, the Irishman has been playing for Dr Martin League outfit Cirencester Town in a bid to improve his physical condition.

And last night O'Halloran did his chances of returning to the North-East - where he spent three years with Boro - no harm as he played the full 90 minutes of the 3-1 defeat against a strong Pilgrims side, which included former Quakers striker Peter Duffield.

Andy White headed the visitors into a 43rd-minute lead from a Scott Brough corner, before the Pilgrims striker made it two a minute later when he rose to head home Bayo Akenfenwa's cross.

With only a minute of the second half played Lee Beevers headed in goal number three from Duffield's right-sided free-kick.

Skipper and centre-half for the evening Neil Maddison pulled a goal back for Quakers following a scramble in the box.

Meanwhile, winger Neil Wainwright remains a major doubt for Saturday's visit of Bristol Rovers.

Wainwright is still struggling with an ankle injury picked up in the draw at Torquay over a fortnight ago.

Defender David McGurk, who took a knock in Saturday's 3-1 at Mansfield, will be fit to face Rovers, who have lost four of their last five league games.

The Teessider, sent off in the same game, is expected to appeal against his dismissal after the club studied video footage of the controversial incident.

Darlington: Norton, Morley, Mason, Coghlan, Maddison, Smith, Convery, Bossy (Mendum 60min), Sheeran, O'Halloran, Parkin (Bond 67min) Subs (not used): Molyneux (gk), Matthewson, Collins

* Hartlepool United Reserves enjoyed a 3-1 win at home to Notts County yesterday with goals from Adam Boyd, Jermaine Easter and Matty Robson.

Pools also confirmed yesterday that tomorrow night's match at home to former boss Chris Turner's Sheffield Wednesday is a 7,600 all-ticket sell-out - the first since the 1990 Rumbelows Cup game against Spurs.

Read more about the Quakers here.