Forgotten man Mark Convery will be hoping to force his way back into Mick Tait's plans after impressing in last night's reserve defeat at home to Lincoln City.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a lively outing at the Reynolds Arena despite Martin Gray's men succumbing to a disappointing 3-2 reverse.

Convery has rarely been called upon for first-team duty with his only appearance last season coming as a substitute during the LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Stockport in October. His cause wasn't helped after suffering a thigh problem over the summer but last night's solid display can only have improved the former Sunderland youngster's chances of a recall.

Defender Joey Hutchinson staked his claim for a starting place at Rochdale in two days' time after suffering no reaction to the hamstring injury which has so far restricted him to just two appearances since his summer move from Birmingham City.

Gray fielded a whole host of first-team regulars including skipper for the evening Neil Maddison, Ashley Nicholls and Ian Clark.

After a confident start from the home side, which saw Mark Sheeran go close, it was strike-partner Danny Mellanby who opened the scoring after ten minutes with a lobbed volley over the onrushing Imps keeper Darren Horrigan.

Five minutes later Dale Mendum came with in inches of doubling the lead when he drove just wide of Horrigan's goal. And Mellanby should have doubled his tally but he sent an angled effort into the side netting.

Quakers continued to look dangerous going forward with wingers Mendum and Convery both catching the eye but despite dominating for the majority of the half Lincoln drew level from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time. Erdem Artun appeared to win the ball cleanly from Niall McNamara but the referee thought otherwise and striker Simon Yeo confidently despatched the spot kick past Michael Price. And after a sustained spell of pressure from the visitors - and only a minute after Hutchinson's withdrawl - Rory May gave Price no chance when he curled brilliantly past the keeper with almost an hour on the clock. Worse was to follow when, unmarked in the box, substitute David Ocquaye poked home from close range to put the Imps 3-1 up.

Clark pulled a goal back from the home side in the 76th minute after a superb solo run from Nicholls but the visitors held firm to claim all three points.

Darlington: Price, Artum, Mason, Mendum (Parkin 65min), Hutchinson (Smith 57), Maddison, Convery, Nicholls, Clark, Sheeran (Coghlan 70), Mellanby Subs (not used): Norton, O'Shea.

* Hartlepool United assistant boss Martin Scott has called for the club's supporters to give Mike Newell a good reception on Saturday. Ex-boss Newell will be in charge of Luton and Scott said: "It will be unusual. I'm sure they will give him a nice welcome."

Read more about the Quakers here.