DARLINGTON boss Tommy Taylor last night praised stand-in keeper Keith Finch for his impressive displays.

The 19-year-old, who has started the last two games, has had to adjust to life in the Third Division quickly after Andy Collett suffered a stomach injury.

Finch replaced Collett after 31 minutes against Lincoln on January 31 and manager Taylor said: "Keith has done well.

"Against Carlisle on Tuesday he had quite a lot of work to cope with in the first half and he did that. Keith has done everything asked of him and it's good to know we have got that when you are short of an excellent keeper like Collett."

Collett still has only a 50-50 chance of returning against Shrewsbury Town tomorrow, but Taylor has been boosted by the news that Mark Ford should be fit.

The influential midfielder picked up a slight groin strain at Carlisle.

Taylor, whose side have won three of their last four matches, said: "I think Mark will be OK.

"Ford and Brian Atkinson are doing well in there for us and they are forming a really good partnership.

"To know that he will be OK to play will help us and hopefully we can keep up our good form.

"When you are playing well you don't want to change the team around too much, and that means we want to have Fordy in there again."

Taylor, meanwhile, revealed that Simon Betts will find out this morning how long he will be out with a gashed leg.

Betts was the subject of a challenge from Carlisle's Tony Hopper on Tuesday, which left the full-back with a huge cut.

Taylor said: "Simon has still not been able to have the cut stitched up. It was that big he has had to wait.

"He will go and see someone about it on Friday then he will find out whether he can play after the Exeter match (on March 2)."

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