Darlington manager Mick Tait will tonight take another look at former Middlesbrough midfielder Keith O'Halloran.

The 27-year-old, who spent a brief spell on trial at the Reynolds Arena earlier this season, has returned to the club in a bid to earn a permanent move following his release by Swindon at the end of last season.

O'Halloran has been playing for Dr Martins League outfit Cirencester Town after failing to earn a new contract at the County Ground following a broken leg.

However, Tait has offered the Dublin-born player an opportunity to kick-start his professional career back in the North-East with Quakers, who this evening take on Boston United's second string at the Reynolds Arena.

"He did very well when he played for us last time but I just thought he was a bit short on his fitness," said Tait.

"I asked him to go away, get a few games, come back and do himself justice.

"It wouldn't have been fair on the lad if we'd have made a decision on him last time because he wasn't fully fit."

Tait is expected to submit a formal appeal to the FA this week following David McGurk's controversial sending off at the weekend.

The 21-year-old was dismissed following a clash with Mansfield defender Tony Vaughan.

However, replays suggest Vaughan - who wasn't even cautioned - showed just as much aggression when both players challenged for the ball. "We are still waiting to see the video but everybody knows it wasn't a sending off, especially their players," said Tait.

"Their player was the most relieved man on the pitch because he thought he was getting sent off.

"It was an absolutely awful decision."

Quakers return to the Reynolds Arena on Saturday for the visit of Bristol Rovers, who were on the end of a 5-1 mauling at Doncaster over the weekend.

However, Tait has warned his players that Ray Graydon's men will be no pushovers despite their recent slump, which has seen them lose four of their last five League games.

"Bristol haven't had a very good week so like any other club who've had a bad result at the weekend, they'll be working hard to try and put things right," said Tait.

"People will be expecting us to win easily just because they lost heavily but it doesn't work like that.

"We just have to make sure we're aware of their dangers."