DARLINGTON will be up against their former striker Mark Beck when Scunthorpe come to Blackwell Meadows tonight.

The 30 year old has had two spells with Quakers, the first in their opening National League North season when he scored 18 goals before he moved on to Harrogate Town, whom he helped into the Football League and victory in the Trophy final at Wembley.

He stayed at Harrogate for five years, after which he returned to Quakers at the start of the 2022-23 season, and he scored another 15 goals in half a season, before Solihull triggered a clause in his contract. He helped Solihull to last season’s Trophy final in which he scored twice against Gateshead, whom he joined on loan in the summer. Solihull recalled him from Gateshead in order to transfer him to league leaders Scunthorpe last week.

Darlington are hoping to build on last week’s Trophy win over Buxton tonight, after having their game called off against Hereford because of a frozen pitch.

A last minute winner put Quakers through to the last 64 of the competition in which they’ll play York City, and it has put them in a good frame of mind for tonight’s game.

Manager Steve Watson said: “We feel that we’re in a good place at the moment. I thought the second half against Buxton was probably as good as we’ve been this season in terms of being dynamic and being on the front foot, counter- pressing and pressing the ball – we need to carry that on. That’s the standard now, we’ve got to try and achieve as close as we can to that now.

“We’ve had a lot of counter-attacks when we’ve broken with pace and tested the keeper more. That side of things looked better last Saturday. We’re playing now against two top teams and chances might be a at a premium. It might take us 60 or 70 minutes to break them down, so it’s important that we’re in the game.”

Striker Cedric Main has now scored three times in the last four matches – two of them have been winners – and Watson said: “He’s getting back to his best.

“His hold up play is getting back to what was so good for last season which allowed us to get up the pitch, and he’s chipping in slowly but surely with goals. I thought that was his best finish of the season against Buxton last week.”

Midfielder Caden Kelly also continues in the squad after Quakers extended his loan from Sunderland last week.

“I think he found it hard when he first came in to the club, like adjusting to the standard, adjusting to a new set of players, only seeing us twice per week and night times are different.

“I wasn’t sure how much he was enjoying it until we had a good chat last week. I think the penny dropped with him and moving forward I think it will suit both parties. I hope that’s the standard he’s set for himself now, and he’ll go forwards.”

Defender Elliot Forbes is hoping to return after an ankle injury, while midfielder Will McGowan returns as Gateshead didn’t allow him to play in the Trophy. Midfielder Tom Platt and defender Ben Hedley are both close to full fitness.