A FIRST goal of the season for Darlington striker Barry Conlon last Saturday helped ease some of the pain caused by Faustino Asprilla's disappearing act.

The Colombian left in a hurry, apparently for the Middle East, last Friday morning before putting pen to paper. Chairman George Reynolds said Asprilla had wanted the club to double the financial package which had been agreed before the player was granted a work permit on appeal the previous Wednesday.

The amazing saga overshadowed Quakers' match at Kidderminster Harriers, where manager Tommy Taylor had to abandon an experimental formation after an hour.

Jon Cullen and Glenn Naylor were drafted into the team which had beaten Carlisle in the previous game, with Ian Clark moved to left midfield and Phil Hadland and Ashley Nicholls dropped to the bench.

But Quakers were poor in the first half and fell behind to an Ian Foster penalty seven minutes into the second half.

Taylor responded by introducing Neil Wainwright, Hadland and 16-year-old debutant John Alexander.

The changes had the desired effect and four minutes later Conlon powered in a header from a corner to level the scores.

Darlington now have to wait until Tuesday and the Worthington Cup tie at Huddersfield Town for their next competitive action.

Tonight's scheduled home game against Wrexham has been postponed as the visitors have three players in the Welsh under-21 squad, which also includes Darlington's Ryan Valentine.

The match has been rearranged for Tuesday, September 24