TRIALIST Wilson Kneeshaw enhanced his chances of being offered a deal by Darlington after making an impact in his latest appearance of pre-season.

The 21-year-old came off the bench during the second half on Saturday and had a hand in two of the goals as Quakers won 3-0 at South Shields.

He left Middlesbrough for Romania in March 2014, signing a two-year contract with ACS Poli Timisoara, but now the Darlington-born forward is looking for a homecoming.

The first of his two assists saw Kneeshaw collect the ball inside his own half before playing a through-ball for Adam Mitchell to slot home, making it 2-0 on 76 minutes.

And it was from Kneeshaw’s dribble into the penalty area that Nathan Cartman turned home at close-range inside the final ten minutes to seal a comfortable win on a day that was notable for it being the hosts’ first game back at Mariner Park.

A large crowd were in attendance for the celebratory occasion as the Northern League club returned home after two years in exile in Peterlee and after refurbishing and renaming their ground – formerly known as Filtrona Park - they are looking forward to the season starting.

Quakers are similarly buoyant following their promotion last season and making some impressive signings, though only two were in Saturday’s line-up - Adam Nowakowski and Rob Youhill - while trialist Lewis Gibbons, a former Sunderland youngster, started in midfield.

Two days after netting in a 4-2 defeat to Sunderland, Mitchell helped put Darlington 1-0 up in the 14th minute, although captain Gary Brown claimed to have got the final touch on the winger’s free-kick.

Gibbons and Kneeshaw, who also made an appearance off the bench in last Thursday’s defeat to Sunderland, will hope to be involved when Darlington play their next friendly against York City tomorrow evening at Heritage Park (7pm).

Darlington starting XI: Jameson; Lovegreen, Nowakowski, Brown, Watson; Youhill, Portas, Gibbons, A Mitchell; Dowson, Cartman