Darlington concluded their pre-season schedule with a 0-0 draw at home to Harrogate Town and they will have been satisfied with their performance against opposition from two divisions above.

Steve Watson’s side were solid and did not give much away against the League Two side, who selected a strong starting XI.

With the National League North season beginning next weekend, Darlington also fielded as strong a side as they could, though injury ruled out Tom Platt and Joe Leesley while Cedric Main was unavailable due to suspension.

The pace of the game rarely got beyond second gear, perhaps each team was saving themselves until the real action begins.

The League Two visitors saw more of the ball before the break. Former Harrogate goalkeeper Peter Jameson, one of Quakers’ summer signings, made a regulation save to his right to deal with a low James Daly drive.

And Harrogate’s Josh March dragged an effort wide after Scott Barrow dashed back to put the Harrogate player under pressure.

Four days after limping off against Dunston with a knee problem, Barrow completed the full 90 minutes seemingly without issue and he performed well in the centre of defence.

Barrow was paired with Toby Lees, while Elliot Forbes was in midfield with Will Hatfield.

Darlington’s best chance fell to Jack Maskell. It was a simple move, one that saw Barrow play the ball over the top ahead of Cameron Salkeld, and he laid the ball off to Maskell but the young striker prodded the ball wide from a central position.

Darlington put two trialists on at half-time and Harrogate made five changes after an hour, meaning there were more substitutions than goalmouth incidents in an uneventful second half.

It was the fourth time in pre-season Harrogate have failed to score in pre-season and they will need to find their shooting boots before the campaign begins at home to Bromley next week. While Quakers kick-off the campaign at home to Kidderminster Harriers.

Darlington: Jameson, Griffiths, Lees, Barrow, Hedley, Salkeld, Forbes, Hatfield, Cornish, Maskell, Nelson. Subs: McGrath (gk), Small, Payne, Triallist A, Triallist B