Darlington midfielder Brian Atkinson started his comeback yesterday in Quakers' reserve side.

Atkinson limped out of the first game of the season at Rochdale with a knee injury and has been on the treatment table since.

But the club's longest-serving player came through the last 20 minutes of the 2-0 Avon Insurance League defeat against Shrewsbury unscathed and could be back in first-team action within a month.

"I'll be having a word with him to make sure he's suffered no reaction," said manager Gary Bennett. "If he's all right, then we want to get him a few more games under his belt before we consider him for the first team.

"When he's fit he will give us another option in the centre of midfield alongside Stuart Elliott and Martin Gray."

Defender Paul Heckingbottom has also undergone an operation to solve the groin problem which has plagued him over the last few months. "I'm waiting to speak to Paul, but our physio tells me that everything has gone all right," said Bennett.

"But we're still looking at six weeks without him. It's a shame, because he had built up a good understanding in the back four with the other players and we've been sound at the back.

"Gary Himsworth can play at left back but at the start of the season he was playing on the right wing and that was giving us balance."

Bennett is looking to strengthen his squad. "I feel that we're a little bit thin at the moment in one or two positions.

"I learned a lot about the players at Bradford on Monday night and also what to do in situations similar to the one we were in then.

"I was in a no-win situation with the injuries we had.

"If Craig Liddle, Neil Aspin and Lee Nogan had played and picked up knocks which made them miss the league games coming up, then I would still have been criticised. League games are more important."

Tickets for the Hartlepool game next Saturday go on sale today and tomorrow to season ticket holders on production of voucher C. Any remaining tickets go on general sale on Saturday. Prices are £12 adults, £6 concessions.

Quakers have also announced a reduction in their season ticket prices. Terrace tickets are now £113 adults and £62 concessions, while seat tickets are £160 and £98.