FRUSTRATED Martin Gray has warned that Gary Brown will be staying at Darlington unless his valuation of the defender is met.

Brown reluctantly handed in a transfer request just over a week ago, explaining that due to having a young family and the travelling involved in the Evo-Stik Premier Division he would prefer to play in the Northern League and there have been no shortage of interested parties.

But Gray says none of the clubs have come close to offering what it would take to sell Quakers’ captain.

“We’ve had no offers good enough for Gary Brown yet, so as it stands he’s staying and going nowhere until we get the right offer,” said Gray. “There’s been two or three offers, but none of them good enough.

“If it takes until October then so be it. If clubs don’t come in with the right offer then he isn’t going anywhere.

“He’s the best at what he does at this level in the North-East. He’s just helped us to win two promotions, if nobody realises that and respects what he is then Gary Brown will be staying at Darlington Football Club.

“We’ve got players lined up. It’s a difficult situation for everybody, but I’m in no rush to get rid of Gary and I will not be selling him unless the deal is right.”

Brown travelled to Saturday’s match at Harrogate RA, but did not feature and his absence Nathan Cartman was handed the captaincy for the friendly against his former club, which he marked by scoring twice during the first half of a 5-2 win.

Trialists, including right-back Alex Kitchen and centre-back Tom McNamee, started the game which was 2-2 at the break, before Gray selected a stronger XI for a second period in which his side took control and scored three goals through Kevin Burgess, Tom Portas and Adam Mitchell.

The team which started Saturday’s second half is likely to be selected from the start this evening at Heritage Park against York City, League Two opposition who Gray is expecting will field a strong side.

He said: “Because of the game on Monday I didn’t want to start all of the senior players, I didn’t want to give too many of them 90 minutes. It’s important to use these games to look at players “We’ll be stronger from the start against York. They will play a strong side, they’re a Football League club that will have an experienced squad.”

Central midfield pairing Phil Turnbull and Portas excelled on Saturday, the former playing a number of fine long-range passes, while the latter’s goal being the highlight of the afternoon.

A quick change of feet outside the penalty area was followed by a rifled finish across the penalty area and inside the far post.

Gray said: “Portas and Turnbull showed what they are about in the second half, they combined really well. Tom was pushing on and getting forward with Phil sitting and giving us a safety net.”

The Northern Echo:

Saturday’s game was Quakers’ fifth of pre-season, and Gray is satisfied so far, saying: “Things are starting to come together, fitness levels are reasonable so it’s so far, so good.

“Things are going well – you don’t want to peak too well, but you don’t want a lack of confidence going into the season either. We’re probably where we want to be at the moment.”

However, Rob Youhill suffered a dislocated elbow on Saturday which will sideline him for two to three weeks.

In the winger’s first return to his former club after joining Quakers after the end of last season, he landed awkwardly and after lengthy treatment, during which the winger’s concerned mother came onto the pitch, he was replaced after only 14 minutes of the contest at Station View.

During treatment the elbow was returned to its normal alignment and he returned to Quakers’ bench during the second half.

Youhill is expected to wear a splint or sling for two to three weeks, casting doubt over his involvement in the opening league game at Buxton on August 15, although the player is convinced he will return to action soon.

Quakers have three more away games to come after this evening’s 7:30pm kick-off: Whitby Town (Saturday, Aug 1), Bishop Auckland (Tuesday, Aug 4) and Spennymoor Town (Friday, Aug 7).

Darlington first half: McClaren; Kitchen, A White, McNamee, Watson; Youhill (T White 14), Nowakowski, Gibbons, Mitchell; Cartman, Dowson.

Darlington second half: Jameson; Staunch, Burgess, Hunter, Galbraith; Mitchell, Portas, Turnbull, Thompson; Dowson (Nowakowski 67, (T White 87)), Cartman