Darlington's run in the FA Youth Cup came to an abrupt halt as they lost 3-0 at Newcastle United last night, but coach Craig Liddle was proud of his team's performance.

There was little between the sides for the first hour or so, but a first-half goal by Remie Streete and two midway through the second half, from Marcus Maddison and Adam Campbell, sealed victory for the Magpies.

Quakers were left to rue not taking one of numerous chances, meaning they lost at the third-round stage, just as they did last season to Arsenal.

Liddle said: "I'm a bit disappointed that we conceded from two set-plays, but I'm very proud of the lads.

"They're absolutely devastated in the dressing room, but I couldn't be prouder. This was our fifth game in the competition and Newcastle's first, so it was like our cup final, like last season when we played Arsenal.

"If we'd got an equaliser I'm sure we'd have gone on to win the game because I don't think there was much between the sides."

Darlington scored 19 times in their previous five ties in the competition and they looked like continuing that run as they started with a flurry of chances.

Danny Lambert went narrowly wide after Newcastle failed to clear a fourth-minute corner and Tom Robson twice came close. First he saw a shot tipped wide by keeper Alex Baird and then he was just off target from distance.

But the bright start faded as the hosts enforced themselves on the game and Quakers keeper Jordan Nixon was unable to stop Streete scoring with a deflected header in the 29th minute when he met Brandon Miele's corner.

Darlington continued to hold their own against a side top of the academy league, but their best chance fell to Jamie Barton, who was unable to react quickly enough to Lambert's perfect right-wing cross and Chris Dickinson could not force home the loose ball.

On 72 minutes, Maddison added the second with a fine goal. He plucked a high ball out of the air before volleying past Nixon, and then Campbell took advantage of slack marking at a free-kick to sweep home to complete a scoreline that was harsh on Quakers.

Meanwhile, threadbare Darlington had only 12 players in training yesterday as they prepare to begin the defence of their of the FA Trophy tomorrow at Grimsby Town.

The squad's size has been severely reduced due to the number of exits that have been completed over the past month on chairman Raj Singh's insistence.

Now injuries are taking their toll, with Jamie Chandler already ruled out tomorrow and Kris Taylor unable to train yesterday.

Taylor is hoping to play, while John McReady (back) and Aaron Brown (hamstring) are carrying knocks but are likely to start despite their problems.

Ryan Bowman remains sidelined due to the ankle ligament damage he sustained at Wrexham last week.

Given the strain on resources, Liddle says a repeat of Quakers' 2-1 win at Blundell Park in August, rather than going to a replay, would be the ideal scenario.

He said: "A draw would only add to our work-load and when you're down to the numbers we are the last thing you want is an extra game.

"If a draw keeps us in the competition, fine, but we've got to try and win it in 90 minutes and that's what we'll try to do.

"We had 12 train today because of the FA Youth Cup match at Newcastle, so the young lads haven't trained today.

"Jamie Chandler is out with an ankle injury, while Kris Taylor is a doubt, Aaron Brown still isn't 100 per cent and Paul Arnison is suspended, so we are again really down to the bare bones.

"But we'll get on with it. I'll put a team out that I hope will put us in the next round."

Arnison serves a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Kettering Town, but Marc Bridge-Wilkinson returns after suspension.

If Bridge-Wilkinson returns to centre midfield, it won't be alongside alongside Chandler, who has lost his race against time to get fit.

He sustained a shin injury in last week's draw with Forest Green Rovers, but wanted to play on Tuesday and aggravated the problem.

Liddle added: "It's the same leg, but it's travelled down to the shin.

"The swelling is causing him discomfort in his ankle and he felt it throughout the game the other night.

"He probably shouldn't have played, but you wouldn't know, he gave his usual 100 per cent, he seemed to think it affected his performance."

MATCHFACTS

Goals: Streete (29, 1-0), Maddison (71, 2-0), Campbell (77, 3-0)

Attendance: 1,136

Newcastle United: Baird; Nicholson, Streete, Storey, Riley; Maddison, Miele, Knight, Hoganson (Sayer 73); Campbell, Hooper (Turton). Subs (not used): Mitchell, Smith, Lopez

Darlington: Nixon; Snook, Harrison, Ferguson (Mould 70), Bell; Lambert, Ramshaw, Bott (Balman 86), Barton; Robson (Barton 46); Dickinson. Subs (not used): Brass, Lietherald