PRIDE is the feeling Phil Turnbull had after helping engineer a victory in his final game in co-control of Darlington.

Saturday’s 2-1 win over Bradford Park Avenue marked Turnbull and Gary Brown’s final match in temporary charge before handing over to Tommy Wright, who was appointed on Friday evening.

Wright’s arrival comes three weeks since Martin Gray resigned, since when Turnbull and Brown have been in charge of team affairs, a task they have relished and they will offer the new boss any information on the squad.

They also expect Darlington to continue the passing football they have encouraged since Gray’s Darlington’s days ended.

Turnbull said: “For me and Browny to be asked to manage for three games says a lot. It’s been a massive achievement for the pair of us and I’m really proud of it – how many people get to do it, at a club of this size?

“I like to think that I have got decent knowledge of the game, and they probably will listen but they’ll have their own opinion.”

Tommy Wright will be assisted by Alan White, who was with Darlington as a player until 2016, when he joined Spennymoor Town as a fitness coach.

Turnbull added: “Whitey will already know more than Tommy as he’s played with the players, and they’ve already said that they will be discussing what we think of the players and I’ll give my honest verdict and so will Browny.

“They’ve played football at a good level, so they’ll know what they’re doing. You can watch a game of football and know what you’re getting.

“He’s blessed with the changing room that’s here. Whitey will already know that, because he was a big part of the changing room that’s still here.

“That’s why it’s been effortless for me and Browny because you know what you’re going to get in the changing room and that’s where Martin Gray deserves credit.

“He signs great characters, they have to be a certain type of person. There’s about six captains in the team.”

In contrast to the style of play used under Gray’s management, Turnbull and Brown encouraged a patient approach during their three games at the helm, one that has produced a positive response from team-mates and supporters.

Wright can be expected to continue that style, says Turnbull.

“You could see from his team last week that they have a certain brand of football and I’m looking forward to it.

“I spoke to him on Friday night and everything he said pleased me.

“He’s only been in the job 20 minutes and already you can see he has a good charisma about him, a good personality, and the lads will like him.”

Midfielder Tom Portas added: “I think everyone wants to play good football. You look at the players we’ve got, everyone wants the ball to feet, and I think everyone will buy into it.

“When I get the ball to feet is when I get to drive forward and I’m confident doing that.

“The more passes you make during a game the more confident you are of getting on the ball.”

Seven days previously Darlington lost at Nuneaton Town, Wright’s final game in charge of the Warwickshire club, a game in which Quakers used a 4-4-2 formation.

They learned from the experience, however, and on Saturday opted for 4-5-1, replacing striker Harvey Saunders with midfielder Dave Syers.

“This was the first week we’ve worked on shape since me and Browny have been in charge,” explained Turnbull.

“Last week we probably me and him being naïve, to go out and try to pass straight away. We did a bit of work on Thursday about playing our way into the game, and we did that by playing balls in behind for the first ten minutes.

“When we got that first goal it relaxed everyone.”