DARLINGTON got their pre-season programme off to a losing start when they went down 3-2 against Ayr United.

Playing at Blyth Spartans' Croft Park as part of a three-team tournament - Quakers revisit Northumberland to play against Blyth again tomorrow night - the Scottish Division One side just about deserved their win on the strength of their first half performance, with Gary Bennett's men only producing a handful of opportunities before a second half fightback.

Bennett gave striker Barry Conlon his first start in a Darlington shirt before substituting him at half time for Kirk Jackson, while young centre half Graham Liddle impressed alongside namesake Craig.

With the absence through injury of several first team players, including Neil Maddison, Martin Gray, Paul Heckingbottom and Phil Brumwell, two trialists were given their chance to shine.

Bishop Auckland's midfielder Danny Mellanby and right back John Hutton both played the majority of the second half while French striker Abdu Taranga was an unused substitute.

Ayr bossed the first half with Darlington creating very little. The Scottish side took a 2-0 lead into half time with the second goal scored by the impressive Gary Teale.

United added a third on 66 minutes before Darlington picked up the pace and pulled a goal back with an Adam Marsh header from a pinpoint Paul Campbell cross.

Five minutes later Mark Ford converted a penalty after Kirk Jackson was fouled. But it wasn't enough to rescue a draw.

Read more about the Quakers here.