HAVING been on the wrong end of a Mark Beck aerial challenge, nobody is more relieved to become one of his team-mates at Darlington than Dom Collins.

He made his debut in Quakers’ 2-0 win at Salford City on Saturday, and former AFC Fylde centre-back Collins has his second game in Quakers colours tomorrow evening at Blackwell Meadows.

Gainsborough Trinity are the visitors for what is Darlington’s first home match of the campaign and Collins is looking forward to tasting the atmosphere.

He recalls fondly the noise generated by Quakers fans during the fixture at Fylde in April, when supporters travelled en masse for a crunch encounter between two promotion contenders.

Fylde’s 4-1 contributed hugely to their title win, and it’s a game Collins remembers for another reason – Beck broke his nose.

It came about during a fair but strong challenge, and Collins does not hold a grudge against Beck, and remembers the tall forward as being a dangerous opponent.

“We did a lot of work on Becky at Fylde before that game,” recalled Collins, who played his part in securing a clean sheet alongside fellow centre-back Gary Brown on Saturday.

“We’d had DVDs on him, he was one of the toughest strikers to play against, we had a good battle and he ended up breaking my nose!

“We’ve talked about it since I came here, but he’s the nicest lad ever. When he gets on the pitch he puts himself about, but off the field he is totally different.

“I’ve got a picture of me and Becky going for a header on Instagram, but he’s a top lad and a good player.”

It took Darlington until their fifth game of last season to record a clean sheet, their defence leaking too many goals over the course of the campaign.

Collins added: “The gaffer signed me to try and help the boys however I can. I was in a team that won the league last season, hopefully I can bring that experience here.

“If we can keep clean sheets, with the attacking players we’ve got like Becky and Josh Gillies – I remember them from last season – we’re always going to score goals.”

In joining Darlington 26-year-old Collins has left behind a full-time club in ambitious Fylde, but has been impressed by Quakers’ approach.

“My first impressions have been really good,” said Collins, who is studying a business and financial management degree in the North-West, but living in Harrogate in order to attend training and matches.

“Obviously I’ve changed to part-time, but it feels like I haven’t in terms of training, intensity and how Martin does things. It’s a really professional approach.

“I spoke to a few part-time clubs, and Martin was the one that sold the club to me. There’s the fans as well, I remember them when they travelled to Fylde for that game, so I know they have a good fan base.

“It was a great atmosphere that day, so I’m looking forward to that. The Darlo fans made it a proper game of football.

“Martin talked about where the club is looking to go, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we do this season.”