QUAKERS fans will be wondering quite what to expect from their team when the Reynolds Arena finally opens for business tomorrow.

Mick Tait's men got off to an inauspicious start when they suffered a 4-1 drubbing at Hull City in their Division Three opener last Saturday.

But a vast improvement saw them produce a Carling Cup upset when they deservedly knocked out Division One side Bradford City in a penalty shoot-out at Valley Parade on Tuesday night.

Darlington were the better side in the first-round encounter - which ended goalless after extra time - and were unlucky not to see off the Bantams before the tie was decided on spot kicks.

Quakers scored with all five of their attempts, but new striker Glen Robson was the man who kept his cool to convert the winning penalty after Tom Kearney had missed for the home side.

The former Blyth Spartans front man, making his full debut in place of the injured Danny Mellanby, looked dangerous all night and hit the post with a glancing header in extra time.

Craig Liddle had earlier struck the crossbar with a header from a Ryan Valentine free kick, one of several goal attempts in a first half largely dominated by the Quakers.

Robson was one of three changes from the side beaten at Hull, with young keeper Michael Price and Frenchman Fabian Bossy also making their debuts.

Experienced stopper Andy Collett was rested, while another new signing, defender Joey Hutchinson, was out with the hamstring injury he picked up at the KC Stadium.

The Middlesbrough-born player, signed on a two-year deal from Birmingham City, had looked impressive against the Tigers and things were going quite well for Darlington at half-time.

Barry Conlon had equalised after Ben Burgess' opening goal for Peter Taylor's side, but Quakers crumbled after conceding two goals in two minutes early in the second half.

Jason Price and ex-Spurs defender Alton Thelwell were the men on target and Danny Allsopp wrapped things up eight minutes from time.

Tait afterwards criticised the work-rate of some of his players and his words certainly seemed to have the desired effect against Bradford.

He will hope the lessons have been absorbed for tomorrow's visit of Kidderminster Harriers, who started with a 2-1 home win over relegated Mansfield Town.

If they have, the new stadium may be christened with a morale-boosting victory.