After two commanding displays, Gary Pearson may have secured a regular place in the Darlington side, although not in his usual midfield berth.

With Craig Liddle and David Brightwell in the treatment room, Pearson was paired with Paul Heckingbottom at the heart of defence against a Cheltenham side featuring 6ft 5in striker Julian Alsop.

Pearson replaced the injured Brightwell during Monday's defeat at Peterborough where, apart from scything down the dangerous Leon McKenzie, the former Durham City man put in an accomplished display.

At Peterborough on Wednesday, Pearson again impressed, prompting assistant boss Mick Tait to say: "I've had a chat with him about it

"I was always a midfielder but in the last few years of my career I played at the back. I've just suggested to him that he might do that a bit earlier.

"He's good in the air and on the deck. The only thing we were a bit worried about was his positioning, but he was fine on Wednesday."

Unlike fellow former non-league player Danny Mellanby, Pearson has rarely had a look-in this season, although a calf injury suffered during a reserve game did little to enhance his chances.

Since he returned to fitness, Darlington have been struggling with injuries and suspensions, which have left the first-team door open.

Tait said: "I thought Pearson and Heckingbottom were excellent at Cheltenham.

"He's got a bit of strength and a bit more pace than we've already got. He just wants to play football."

Mellanby has a stiff back and may be rested for tomorrow's match at home to Luton Town. But Simon Betts is serving a one-match ban, having been sent-off at Kidderminster two weeks ago.

Captain Liddle looks set to return after recovering from an Achilles injury.

l Darlington's reserves lost 3-2 at home to Doncaster on Wednesday in the Avon Insurance League Cup with Adam Marsh and Adam Rundle scoring.

l York chairman Douglas Craig yesterday rejected a generous cash pledge from Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed, despite the players being forced to scrap pre-match meals as part of sweeping cutbacks, writes NEIL ANDREWS.

Fayed was willing to donate Fulham's share of the gate receipts from tomorrow's FA Cup fourth-round tie to the struggling Minstermen, only for Craig, with York more than £1m in debt and losing £15,000 per week, to spurn the offer.

Billionaire Harrods owner Al Fayed is now due to give the proceeds - around £50,000 as Fulham's 45 per cent cut of the 9,000 Bootham Crescent sell-out - to the recently-formed York City Supporters' Trust.

The Trust, in conjunction with what they describe as ''sensible investors'', are still hopeful of purchasing York City from Craig after he put the club up for sale at £4.5m.

Craig said: ''We didn't think it was appropriate to take the money."

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