BARRY Conlon may not have been the most prolific striker in Darlington's record books, but he is exactly the sort of player manager David Hodgson currently craves.

Conlon made a winning return to his former club in the first round of the Carling Cup last night, three month's after joining Barnsley on a free transfer.

Goals from Chris Shuker and Paul Reid ensured victory for the Tykes to send Quakers out at the first hurdle.

While two goals in 450 minutes serves a painful reminder to Quakers' problems in front of goal, Hodgson will have taken plenty of encouragement from last night's performance.

But for some solid defending from the visitors, Quakers provided plenty of evidence to suggest that goals aren't as distant as some would make out.

Hodgson's men never looked a division below their South Yorkshire counterparts and it was the reflexes of Tykes keeper Nick Colgan that ensured this morning's second round draw is now an irrelevance to Hodgson.

Quakers head to League Two newcomers Chester City on Saturday and assistant manager Mark Proctor remains upbeat.

He said: "We did well to restrict Barnsley to two shots at goal but unfortunately they've scored from both of them.

"We are not getting the breaks at the moment. Our commitment has been spot on and we can't complain with that.

"Let's not forget we were playing a team that's a division above us and we were the better team in the second half.

"Life is tough at the moment but we have plenty of positives to take away from tonight."

With skipper Craig Liddle rested, former Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming was brought across from left-back to partner Joey Hutchinson in the heart of the Quakers defence, while Ian Clark and Chris Hughes were drafted in for their first starts of the season.

The sides last met in the same competition ten years ago when Paul Cross and Bernie Slaven were on target in a 2-2 draw at Feethams, before a goalless draw at Oakwell sent Quakers out on the away goal rule.

After heavy rain throughout the day both sides began cautiously in the slippery conditions. However, it was the home side who appeared to adapt better, with the Tykes forced to defend in the opening stages.

And, after captain for the night Craig Russell had a shot blocked in the eighth minute, Matt Clarke picked up the rebound before poking the ball straight at keeper Nick Colgan.

With every touch greeted with boos from the home crowd, Conlon - who scored 42 goals in three seasons for Quakers - looked keen to impress against his former club.

But it was Chris Shuker - who spent part of last season on loan at Hartlepool United - who the visitors had to thank for their 13th minute opener.

Shuker also spent time on loan at Rochdale last term, where he ran Quakers ragged in a 4-2 win at Spotland in September.

And last night, the former Manchester City man was just as menacing when he floated a delightful free-kick past a static Sam Russell from 20 yards out.

Shuker almost added a second moments later when he latched on to a Michael Boulding through ball but this time Sam Russell was alert to block with his chest.

Matt Clarke earned his side a free-kick on the edge of the area in the 36th minute but Craig Russell fired the resulting set-piece over the cross-bar.

And shortly after the break Ian Clark and Brian Close both went for the same ball, combining to send a shot over the Tykes goal.

With 64 minutes played Colgan showed quick reflexes to deny Craig Russell's angled drive.

The ineffective Matt Clarke was replaced moments later by Argentinian teenager Leandro Scartascini for his debut.

But the game was put beyond Quakers in the 74th minute when Paul Reid put the Tykes two up from the penalty spot.

Midfielder Clark Keltie's chest back to the keeper was intercepted by Boulding, who raced into the box, before being brought down by Chris Hughes.

And after Sam Russell saved the initial spot-kick from Reid, referee Graham Laws brought celebrations to a halt when he called for a re-take after encroachment into the box. Reid stepped up at the second time of asking, and although Sam Russell got a touch, the ball crept agonisingly over the line.

With full-time approaching Craig Russell almost pulled a goal back when he side-footed straight at Colgan from close range.

* Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wigan crashed out of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 defeat at Grimsby. Andy Parkinson scored the winner after 17 minutes at Blundell Park.

Leeds won 1-0 against Huddersfield after Michael Ricketts' powerful header came off the crossbar and Danny Pugh scored from the rebound