trialist Paul Beavers made an instant impact when he scored on his Darlington debut for the reserves at Grimsby yesterday.

Beavers, who is on trial from Oldham, headed one of the goals in Quakers' 2-1 win in the Pontins League, with youngster Mark Sheron getting the other.

Manager Gary Bennett said: "He gave us a new dimension and showed plenty of movement. But he has to work on his fitness and get himself into shape. "

Beavers was plagued by injuries when he was at Oldham last season, before moving to Victoria Park on loan near the end of the campaign.

French striker Lenit Zezu and Dutch keeper Frank van der Geest were unable to play because of red tape, but the other Frenchman, Christophe Raymond, had a solid game in defence.

"We're having talks with him, and maybe next week something will be finalised. His fitness will need to be improved but we're hoping to extend his stay."

Keith Finch played the full game, as Bennett decided that having seen keeper Paul Musselwhite play in the Isle of Man, he would rather give the teenager an outing.

Bennett, who will probably arrange a game next week to look at the trialists, said: "Several people had good games. Richard Hodgson, for instance, made two goals, and he's forced his way into the reckoning for Saturday's game against Exeter, along with Mark Angel."

However, Bennett has suffered a blow with the news that midfielder Brian Atkinson has been ruled out of action for a month with tendonitis in his knee