Two Bishop Auckland old boys returned to haunt their former club on Saturday as Darlington got their preparations for the new season off to a winning start.

Striker Danny Mellanby, who left the Unibond Premier League outfit for Quakers two years ago and youngster Chris Hughes, who spent part of last season on loan at Kingsway, were both on target in the 2-1 win at Shildon's Dean Street ground.

Mellanby, who will be hoping to put the injury problems which have so far hampered his Quakers career behind him, pounced after just 15 minutes when he bundled home from close range after Ashley Nicholls' initial shot was blocked by keeper John Caffry.

And 11 minutes later, right wing-back Hughes, who signed professional forms with the club during the summer, stole in from the right before firing low past Caffry.

In the 37th minute the home side pulled a goal back when Phil Ross powered a close range header past trialist keeper Michael Price, released by Premiership new boys Leicester City at the end of the season.

Price was the only player to remain on the field for the second half as manager Mick Tait made no fewer than ten changes, with the introduction of several youth team players, as well as Ian Clark, Neil Wainwright, David McGurk and Mark Sheeran.

After a fairly nervy first half, Quakers looked a lot more settled after the interval with a number of youngsters impressing, most notably pint-sized midfielder Michael Coghlan who showed some clever touches.

With ten minutes of the second half played the lively Sheeran was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he had a shot cleared off the line.

While at the other end McGurk looked solid at the back, marshalling an inexperienced Quakers defence with confidence.

The Middlesbrough-born defender will be hoping to force his way into Tait's plans this season and he did his chances no harm with an assured second half display as Quakers held firm to claim a hard-fought victory over their plucky north-east neighbours.

Team (first half): Price, Valentine, Clarke, Liddle, Pearson, Hughes, Maddison, Nicholls, Keltie, Conlon, Mellanby

Team (second half): Price, Mason, McGurk, Waller, Clark, Smith, Coghlan, O'Shea, Wainwright, Sheeran, Alexander

* Quakers continue their build-up for the new season at Blyth Spartans tomorrow night (kick off 7.30pm).