HAD their last two results been better, Darlington would have been going into today’s match with New Mills knowing three points would give them the title. Instead, manager Martin Gray is putting the kids in.

Having missed out on automatic promotion - draws at Lancaster and Warrington enough to give Salford first place - Gray has Wednesday’s play-off semi-final against Spennymoor Town in mind so wants to rest as many as possible of his senior players.

He is eager to avoid the potential for them being injured in a match that carries little significance to the league table; regardless of the result Quakers are guaranteed to finish second, while New Mills will stay 21st.

“We’re looking at the bigger picture and we’re going to give the kids an opportunity, it’s a good stage of the season to do it when you look at what there is to play for,” said Gray.

“It’s a chance to give them the experience of playing in front of a big crowd and hopefully it will help their development.”

It was the same scenario a year ago when Gray rested first-choice players for the final couple of league fixtures, a win at Wakefield and the final match of the season, which was a defeat to Burscough.

Darlington then made eight changes for the play-off final, a 2-0 defeat to Ramsbottom United.

Asked if he had any doubts about opting for a youthful line-up, Gray said: “If we played our strongest team on Saturday and ended up with four or five injured, how stupid would that have been?”

James Marley, Matty Lovegreen, Matty Pennal and Adam Cocks are among the teenagers who will be involved today, all having previously made first-team appearances.

Midfielder Cocks will make his 14th appearance of the campaign, most of them being as a sub, centre-back Marley and striker Pennal both scored in a Doodson Cup tie with Whitby Town in November, while Lovegreen has made four senior appearances.

He made his first league start at right-back away to New Mills last month, and Gray added: “He was steady away and he did not look out of place.

“He’s progressing nicely, is playing for Durham County and is a really bright prospect for the future.

“Matty Pennal is also a regular in the Durham team. The teenage lads play at a good level and we’re delighted with them.

“It’s a slow building process for the youth. We’re rebuilding the youth in the same way we had to rebuild the first team, it takes time, and we’re also trying to rebuild the reserves for next year.

“Slowly but surely we’re seeing the youth section become stronger every year, which is encouraging.

“In the recent history of the club we have produced players and that’s no different to what we’re trying to do now. We want to develop players as we rebuild the club and that’s my vision going forward.

“A lot of clubs invest time into their youth, but then a lot of the players don’t make it through to the first team. I can understand that, but sometimes you’ve got to be brave as a manager and give them a chance otherwise what’s the point in having a youth system?”

Darlington will have a reserve team next season, though the league they play in is yet to be confirmed.

“The plan I have is to have another tier in place and we’re working very hard to have a reserve team in place at the start of next season,” added Gray.

“It’ll be a chance for the youth players to continue their development.

“The players will be employed by myself to develop as future players. We’ve identified the ones that we want, the Lovegreens and the Marleys, they’ll stay with us on apprenticeships under my business next year and become reserve team players.”

Experienced goalkeeper Mark Bell will play today. Peter Jameson’s red card last Saturday against Lancaster means he would be suspended for the play-off final next week if Quakers qualify, but he is available for Wednesday.