CLARK Keltie faces a race to be fit in time for the new season, after it emerged last night the midfielder will require a hernia operation.

The midfielder, who recently signed a new one-year contract, faces a month on the sidelines.

Quakers former skipper watched from the stands as Darlington drew 3-3 at Durham City last night, thanks to former Airdrie striker Ian Harty's second half hat-trick. Quakers were two-down before Harty came off the bench at half-time to bring the scores level.

And, after Darlington fell 3-2 behind, Harty completed a memorable evening with the equaliser five minutes from time.

There were starts for five of Penney's nine summer signings, including £100,000 capture Pawel Abbott and new captain Steve Foster.

There was also a start for left winger Alex Rhodes,a free agent after turning down a new contract at Brentford.

But Penney's new-look side got off a bad start when they fell behind to Richardson's superb tenth minute opener.

And poor marking allowed the Northern League side to double their advantage when Low headed home at the back post from English's cross in the 25th minute.

Quakers were fortunate not to fall further behind when Richardson beat John Brackstone on the edge of the area before poking wide.

As planned Penney made wholesale changes at half-time, including the introduction of summer signing Alan White.

And Harty brought Quakers level with goals in the 48th and 56th minutes.

Durham soon regained their advantaged when Pitt beat White to the ball at the near post to direct his header past David Stockdale.

And with five minutes remaining Gladwin completed his hat-trick with a 20-yard effort into the top corner of the net.

Durham City: Mohan, Harrison, Capper, Bell, Bowes, Low, Smith, Graydon, Clarke, Richardson, English Subs: Butler, Winter, Price, Dodds, Pitt, Gradziak, Greenwell Darlington: Stockdale, Hardman, Burgess, Foster, Brackstone, McBride, Ravenhill, Purdie, Rhodes, Blundell, Abbott Subs: Austin, White, Wainwright, Joachim, Wiseman, Wright, Gladwin ■ Grimsby Town manager Alan Buckley last night ruled out a move for Julian Joachim.

The Quakers striker has been linked with a move to the Mariners and Lincoln City recently, but Buckley said: "It's another one of those rumours that somebody has dreamt up. I can assure you that it isn't true."

Former Quakers youth-team goalkeeper Nathan Wright has joined Gretna and striker Richard Logan is training with Wearside League East Durham.