JOE WHEATLEY scored within hours of his signing for Darlington becoming official, the former Middlesbrough youngster netting for the club’s reserves on Wednesday evening.

The midfielder has been on trial with Quakers during pre-season, playing in several friendlies, and travelled with the first-team squad to Salford City on Saturday.

Paperwork for his registration was lodged with the Football Association on Sunday and the club were informed of his availability in time to feature in Wednesday’s reserve win at Stokesley, at the same time as the senior team defeated Gainsborough Trinity 4-3.

In the Wearside League a Darlington side featuring several players with first-team experience won 6-0, Wheatley opening the scoring.

Kevin Burgess and Tom Portas both started, each using the game to continue their respective returns to fitness, while new signing Jordan Richards was also given a run-out.

Burgess, and Richards were on target, as were James Beauchamp, Lee Hume and Lewis Walton.

Wheatley, who put in some eye-catching performances in pre-season, was released by Boro at the end of last season at the same time as striker Bradley Fewster, who has also been on trial with Darlington.

Middlesbrough’s head of youth Craig Liddle, the former Darlington defender, told the Teessiders’ official website in June: “It’s the hardest part of this job, releasing players. Many have been with us for a long time and may think it’s the end of their dream.

“My response to that would be to treat it as a new challenge, it may not have worked out the way they wanted here, but it may well somewhere else.

“It happens all the time in this game. I'd just like to thank them for everything they have done for us and wish them every success as players and individuals in the future.”

Darlington reserves: Bancroft, Richards, Webster, Portas, Burgess, Brown, Wheatley, Hume, Beauchamp, Stephenson, Walton. Subs: Smith, Forbes (gk), Young, Pearson, Cocks

Meanwhile, Nathan Cartman’s departure from Darlington should be confirmed before the weekend, perhaps even today.

The striker is leaving on a 28-day loan, with his destination being a club in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

He scored eight goals last season, and has found the net 35 times in 109 games since joining from Harrogate RA in January 2015.