DARLINGTON’S new management pair want to prove that they are good enough for the job, though are aware that results are considered all-important in football.

Brian Atkinson and Sean Gregan have been given the position until the end of the season, chief executive David Johnston and director John Tempest asked them to replace Martin Gray after he left to join York City.

Their first game in the dugout is on Saturday at Blackwell Meadows against Stockport County, while they will take training this evening for the first time since Gray’s exit.

“Martin has gone off to York and we wish him well. But this is about me and Brian now, it’s our opportunity,” said Gregan, who has been coaching Quakers since 2012.

“We want to take opportunity and the proof will be in the pudding with how the results go.

“It doesn’t matter what length of contract you’ve got, we’ve both been in the game long enough to know you’ll be judged on results.

“Even if we’d been given ten-year contracts it wouldn’t matter because you’re still judged on what happens on the pitch.”

Both are content to hold a share of the management role rather than the more traditional manager and assistant scenario.

Gregan added: “We had a meeting on Sunday morning and that’s how we’re going to go, joint decisions. We’ll speak a lot just as we have done over the past five years.

“We’ve got similar philosophies on how the game should be played and hopefully that will come to the fore on a Saturday.

“We’ve spoken to a couple of the senior players on the phone, we’ll see them Tuesday and take it from there.”

As compensation for Gray moving to the Minstermen, Darlington will play a pre-season friendly at York next summer with Quakers receiving all of the gate receipts.

Darlington had little bargaining power as the terms of Gray's contract entitled them to a cash payment only if he left to join a a club in the EFL.

The teams have already played at Bootham Crescent this season, drawing 0-0, and they meet again on January 6 at Blackwell Meadows.