Former Darlington player Greg Taylor admits he feels as though he has "jumped ship" after leaving The Northern Echo Arena.

He is among three senior player to have left over the past fortnight as chairman Raj Singh looks to reduce the club's losses by cutting wages and trimming the squad.

Taylor has joined Blue Square Bet Promotion chasers Luton Town, a club close to his Bedford home.

He only joined Darlington in January, signing for Mark Cooper for a second time having also played under him at Kettering Town.

He said: "It was a shame to see Coops go. I didn't feel it was right to get rid of him, but obviously the buck stops with the chairman and it was his decision.

"I feel like I've jumped ship in a way."

As well as Taylor, others to have departed Darlington lately are Michael Brough and John Campbell.

Ben Purkiss' loan expired while Nialle Rodney has been sent back to Bradford City.

The striker joined on a month's loan on October 21, just days before Cooper was sacked, and played in the defeat at Braintree Town.

But his debut also proved to be his final game as, although available for the team's FA Cup ties, caretaker manager Craig Liddle has not selected him in any of his three match squads so far and has decided to send him back to Valley Parade.

Quakers return to action at Ebbsfleet United on Saturday by which point the club hopes to have resolved question marks lingering over the future of certain members of the squad.

Before then, their youth team take centre stage tomorrow evening.

They take on Shrewsbury Town at The Northern Echo Arena (7.30pm) in an FA Youth Cup tie with the winners travelling to play at Newcastle United in the week commencing December 12.

Meanwhile, there were contrasting fortunes for two of last season's Darlington strikers in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Michael Smith made his Charlton Athletic debut yesterday in a 4-0 win at FC Halifax Town.

He came on as a late substitute, for Jason Euell, and created the final goal of the game, but Chris Senior missed a penalty as his Alfreton side lost 4-0 at home to Carlisle United.