A Darlington side featuring a mix of trialists, youth team players and a smattering of the first team lost 4-1 at Blyth Spartans last night.

An entertaining match, the last of the Absolut Print and Design Trophy featuring Ayr United, saw Blyth create plenty of scoring opportunities, especially in the first half and they deserved their victory.

It was not until the tenth minute when Quakers had their first attempt at goal.

Graham Liddle unleashed a right-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area, but the centre-half's shot flew a couple of yards wide.

Blyth responded immediately and they should have took the lead when a deep cross from the right was knocked back across goal by Steven Stewart, but Glenn Robson's diving header hit the side netting.

The hosts took the lead when Glenn Robson fired past Keith Finch following ex-Darlington winger Neil Radigan's blocked shot.

Bishop Auckland midfielder, Danny Mellanby, who is on trial with Darlington, helped create a 25th minute equaliser when he sharply turned his marker and crossed for Murray McDowell to tap in from close range.

Five minutes before the break Blyth were unfortunate not to take the lead after Robson's bullet header flew past the post following Graham Pepper's pinpoint cross.

Pepper was one of several ex-Quakers in the Blyth squad, including his brother Carl, Gary Innes, Justin Keegan, Radigan, Lee-Paul Scroggins and Skelton.

It was Skelton who edged Blyth ahead on half-time; knocking the ball past former teammate Finch from close range after a delivery from Darlington's left wing.

Just after the break Graham Pepper was unlucky not to put Blyth 3-1 ahead when his ferocious volley skimmed the top of the cross bar.

But five minutes later Skelton's team were 4-1 ahead after two defensive errors in as many minutes.

A mix-up between Craig Liddle and Finch gifted Robson an open goal. And seconds later he made sure of his hat-trick when Graham Liddle's attempted backwards header fell into the frontman's path, from where he lofted the ball over the advancing keeper with ease.

Abu Taranga, a half-time substitute, used his sizeable frame to cause problems for the home defence as the heavyweight Frenchman charged around the field in determined fashion.

The ex-Paris St Germain forward wanted to impress in his first match for Quakers but for all his effort and commitment Darlington could not force a second goal and Blyth took the match and the tournament

Read more about the Quakers here.