BRIAN Healy has become the third player to be released by Darlington this week as manager Tommy Taylor continues to cut the wage bill.

Healy, 33, who scored the winning goal on his debut against Oxford two months ago, follows Kirk Jackson and Frank van der Geest in leaving the Quakers.

The Stockton-based midfielder has been on a month-to-month contract at the club after being released by Torquay earlier this season, but with Mark Kilty steadily regaining fitness, Healy has been deemed surplus to requirements.

Kilty came through the last 20 minutes of Wednesday night's home reserve defeat to Lincoln and will play another second-string match before being considered for the first-team action.

Fellow long-term casualty, Glenn Naylor, is awaiting the verdict of a specialist while Gary Himsworth is still some way of fitness. Adam Reed came though his second 90 minutes of the week having played in the defeat at Bury on Monday giving Taylor a boost ahead of tomorrow's trip to Kidderminster.

Also in the reserves on Wednesday was Whitby Town striker Lee Ure who enjoyed a lively second half although Taylor says he wants to see him play another reserve match before making a final judgement.

Meanwhile, defensive linchpin Craig Liddle is making good progress as he returns from injury.

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