Darlington manager Gary Bennett reckons that some of his players matured in the famous Worthington Cup victory at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

The town is buzzing after Quakers came back from a goal down - the first time they have done so since they beat Burnley nearly two years ago - to stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches and clinch a second round Worthington Cup tie against Bradford City.

Bennett raised some eyebrows before the game by making five changes to the team which drew with York City last Saturday, and gave three players, Steve Walklate, Mark Angel and Richard Hodgson, their full debuts.

"I was very happy with all the players, especially the young lads - I thought they came of age on Wednesday night," said Bennett.

"To beat a first division away from home after being a goal down, takes some doing. Nobody expected us to win - we were expected to be given a right drubbing.

"My last words to them before they left the dressing room was to put on a good performance, and I think everybody agrees that they did. We had to sort them out a little bit at half time, and we told them to touch and pass, and the display was brilliant in the second half. We weren't lucky to win, we deserved it.

"People thought we weren't bothered about winning the game, but I can assure you that we were.

"It was a great move for the first goal, and for Stuart Elliott to score the second the way he did showed great vision.

"If the youngsters can build on that performance, then this club has got a bright future."

Bennett admits he is now facing a selection dilemma in several positions with Saturday's league game to come at Shrewsbury.

Defenders Neil Aspin and Paul Heckingbottom have both recovered from knocks, as has striker Ton Kaak, while keeper Andy Collett, midfielder Glenn Naylor and striker Lee Nogan come back into contention.

"I'd rather have dilemmas like these, than not," he said.

"I've always said that I will rotate the squad if I have to. I ask them to work really hard, and I can't ask them to do it week in and week out. They need to be rested every now and again."

One tough choice in particular will be the goalkeeping position between Frank Van Der Geest, who pulled off a superb save when the score was 1-1 on Wednesday, and Andy Collett.

"If Frank continues to perform like that, then it will be difficult to hold on to him. His all round game on Wednesday was brilliant. It's a decision we'll have to sit down and make."

However, new signing Paul Beavers will not be in action this weekend. "It's too early for him to be involved. Maybe next week for the Barnet game," said Bennett.

Bennett also had warm words of praise for the 1,000 Darlington fans who made the trip to the Midlands on Wednesday.

"Their backing was superb, especially when we went a goal down. I was really pleased for them that we won."

Elliott, who will serve a one-match suspension at Cheltenham on Tuesday, took the praise for his well-taken goal modestly.

"The clearance from Dave Beasant just came to me, and I thought I would give it a go. I hit it first time, and the ball went exactly where I wanted it to. Any other time it could have ended up in the stand.

"It was a great performance by everybody against a team pushing for promotion to the Premiership.

"I just hope we can carry it on over the weekend."

Midfielder Paul Campbell, who came on as a sub and within five minutes equalised, added: "It's the first time I've scored with my head because I'm not renowned for my heading. It was a great cross in from the left by Richard.

"I thought we were a bit edgy at the start of the game, but we relaxed in the second half. Stuart calmed things down in the second half, and his goal was absolutely brilliant.

"The manager told Stuart afterwards that Dave Beasant had the cheek to run after the ball!"

Quakers' home leg against Bradford on Tuesday September 19 isn't all- ticket, but the club is selling tickets for the Carlsberg Stand and the terraces in advance.

Prices £10 and £7 adults, £6 and £4 concessions. Season ticket holders can buy theirs on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th September, and after that they go on general sale.

The return leg at Bradford on Monday, September 25, is not all-ticket. Prices are £10 for adults, £6 pensioners and £1 for children, payable on the night.

l Premier League chairmen have agreed to sign a statement backing the joint government-football initiative defending the strengths of the current transfer system.

The decision was taken at a monthly meeting of the body in London yesterday, while at the same time a European deputation was winning vital breathing space in their battle with the European Union.

Just a week after FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared transfer fees for players over the age of 24 were at an end, the situation now looks slightly less startling after UEFA nudged the world governing body to one side in the negotiation process. After an 'encouraging' meeting with European Commissioner for Culture and Sport Viviane Reding in Strasbourg, football has now been given until October 31 to return with concrete proposals for the EU to examine.

It is now felt it will be the end of the year before the matter is finally resolved, although the original deadline of September 20 set by Competitions Commissioner Mario Monti has been moved at least gives UEFA much-needed room for manoeuvre