Darlington last night appointed former Feethams favourite and Hartlepool United boss Mick Tait as assistant manager.

Tait's arrival heralded a reshuffle behind the scenes at Feethams, with Jimmy Montgomery, who was appointed assistant to Gary Bennett in August reverting to his old role as goalkeeping and youth team coach.

Tait, who quit the Pool hot seat in January 1999, has been out of work since he quit as manager of UniBond League club Blyth Spartans last summer, although he has been scouting for both Huddersfield and Portsmouth.

He was a popular player at Feethams, and was a member of the old Fourth Division title winning side in 1991, before becoming assistant to caretaker Ray Hankin in March 1992.

Bennett said: "I have known Mick professionally for a long time. He is a very experienced person, who has been with several clubs in his career both as a player and a manager.

"He will take some of the coaching responsibilities off my shoulders, and he will certainly have an input into what's going on.

"Jimmy will also still have a role to play on the bench."

Tait said: "I've always wanted to get back into the game and I've been waiting for an opportunity. It is great to be involved again.''

Tait has been appointed for at the rest of the season, with the possibility that he could become a more permanent fixture and he will be on the touchline tonight for Quakers' LDV Vans trophy tie at Port Vale.

Quakers have missed out in an attempt to sign Nigerian World Cup forward Daniel Amokachi.

The striker is available as a free agent on his return to the country following a spell on the continent. He sprang to fame in the 1994 World Cup for his country, and after moving to Everton, was a member of their 1995 FA Cup winning side.

Bennett said: "We have been speaking to him and we were 90 per cent certain that we had him, but then it fell through on Sunday. There were a couple of reasons why it didn't go through.

"He doesn't have a driving licence, he has two children at a private school, and his wife is expecting another child.

"But we are still looking for a player who can add something to the squad and who can play a big part in us getting away from trouble."

Amokachi was being chased by German side Hanover 1860, who decided not to sign him because they felt he hadn't recovered from a cartilage injury.

Quakers can reach the semi finals of the Northern section of the LDV Vans Trophy if they win at Second Division Port Vale tonight.

Midfielder Brian Atkinson will miss out because of a groin injury, as will Adam Marsh, who is still suffering from an Achilles problem.

Bad weather has put the game in doubt and if the game is postponed, then midfielder Martin Gray's suspension will be carried forward from tonight to Saturday's home game with Shrewsbury, when Craig Liddle is also missing.

Darlington's reserve game at home to Halifax last night in the League Cup was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.