The scoreline may suggest otherwise, but Darlington eased to victory over Billingham Town on Saturday in a game which saw Neil Maddison make his first appearance for the club.

Saturday's game also saw Gary Bennett hand trialist, left-back Simon Betts, a chance to earn a contract at Feethams, while Maddison captained the side in the absence of Martin Gray through injury, and he looked solid in a midfield holding role before being taken off at half-time.

Bennett has been searching for a left-back as injuries to Gary Himsworth and Paul Heckingbottom look likely to leave the club without a recognised player in that come the beginning of the season.

Betts was the second left-sided defender to be handed 90 minutes by Bennett within 24 hours after ex-Chesterfield player Steve Woods played at Blyth Spartans the previous evening.

Twenty-eight year-old Betts has plenty of League experience having spent almost seven years at Colchester United before moving on to Scarborough in 1999 and then Yeovil midway through last season. Woods has been released by the Spirerites having made 26 starts in two seasons.

"We've been on the look-out for a left-sided player or a left wing-back and we played one last night and obviously it's something we're looking at," Bennett said after Saturday's match.

"We're comparing the two players and on the today's performance Betts is the better player. He did very well, he fitted in well the pattern of our play and that's what we're looking for."

Quakers were never in danger of losing at Bedford Terrace, and should have added to their three goal total, especially in the second period when several chances went begging.

Barry Conlon grabbed his first goals in a black and white shirt with a first-half double, while strike-partner Adam Marsh added to his goal against Ayr on Wednesday.

The performance on Saturday was far better than the display three days previously, with Mark Convery and Maddison inparticular, shining in midfield while Adam Marsh looked sharper on Saturday than he did when he first came into the team last season.

Bennett said: "We worked hard to get in that position and in the end it got too easy and we took the foot off the pedal and the score makes it seem like a close game but it could've been double-figures."

"It was Neil Maddison's first 45 minutes today and he was very good, he controlled everything in game because he's a good passer, " said Bennett. "If you keep it simple, as we do, and keep the ball moving, you're going to cause problems."

Tomorrow night Darlington send a team to Whitby for another friendly (7.30pm).

Read more about Darlington FC here.