MARC Bridge-Wilkinson has only played two games for Darlington but his performances have already been enough to convince manager Mark Cooper that he would like the Carlisle man to extend his stay at The Northern Echo Arena.

The midfielder made his debut at Mansfield ten days ago and then scored in Saturday’s 6-2 FA Cup win at Mossley.

The 31-year-old joined Quakers for a month, but Cooper said: “Hopefully we can keep him longer. I think he’s enjoying it because he’s playing and appreciates the welcome he’s had from the players and the staff.

“He’s been out injured at Carlisle so he’s come to us to get fit – but hopefully Carlisle will win loads of games so he can’t get back in their team so stays with us for the rest of the season.

“He’s a good football player and that’s why we’ve brought him in, to try and link things up a bit.

“He gets into positions and slips people in and scored a great goal on Saturday.

“We’ve been accused of playing too many long balls, maybe rightly so, but we never set out to do that.

“We felt we needed someone who could link the midfield and the attack. We’ve got him playing in that little hole behind Tommy Wright and he’s excellent with the football.

“If we can get him enough of the ball I’m sure he’ll create opportunities for us.”

Bridge-Wilkinson will retain his place for Saturday’s trip to top-of-the-table AFC Wimbledon whose manager, Terry Brown, yesterday said he is not surprised to see Quakers “struggling”.

He said: “Darlington are a really big, physical side and they will try to intimidate us.

“I know people say they have struggled themselves but it takes time to acclimatise to football at this level.

“It never surprises me that a side that has had an absolute disaster and gets relegated from League Two struggles in the Conference.

“They come down and think they are just going to roll over all of these part-time teams but it is very rarely the case.”

Darlington are at home to Mossley in the FA Youth Cup this evening.

Kick-off at The Northern Echo Arena is 7.45pm with admission £3 and £1 (concessions).

■ Darlington have agreed reduced admission prices with Bristol Rovers for their FA Cup first round tie at the Arena on Saturday November 6.

Adult tickets are £15, with concessions £10 and Under-16s priced £5. Season ticket holders will be able to buy tickets for their own seat up to 5pm on Friday, November 5, after which all seats wil be released for general sale.