Out-of-contract defender David McGurk may have played his last game for Darlington after admitting he is unlikely to get first team football with the club.

Both Matt Clarke and Matty Appleby were suspended for Saturday's game which meant a rare appearance for McGurk, who has spent most of the season on loan at York where he was a success.

The Middlesbrough-born 23-year-old was regular in Billy McEwan's side, winning two player of the year awards and now he's had a taste of being a first team regular he wants more.

He remains down the pecking order under David Hodgson so a summer exit seems likely for McGurk who made his Darlington debut five-and-a-half years ago during Tommy Taylor's tenure.

Asked if he would sign a contract if offered one by Hodgson, he said: "I'm not sure to be honest. He could offer me a contract but I don't think he can offer me regular football, especially with the current two central defenders being here and with Joey Hutchinson back next year.

"I'm not a young lad anymore and I need to be playing regular football. I've played 40-odd games this season and it's been the most enjoyable year I've had.

"Not playing was getting me down which is why I went out on loan, it was my decision.

"Being in the team every week helps you because you go into every game confidently. At Darlington I was thinking that if I had a bad game I would be straight out of the side and that is in the back of your mind."

McGurk, Darlington's longest-serving player, played twice for Quakers earlier this season after the conclusion of a loan spell with York.

But that he was soon allowed to rejoin the Minstermen speaks volumes for his standing at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena and McGurk admitted: "I feel as though I have something to prove. If I don't get a contract at Darlington then I will be trying to prove the gaffer wrong.

"I'm a defender so I love stopping goals. The gaffer does tend to play more football than most in the lower leagues and that's maybe an area where the gaffer does not think I am good enough.''

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