Darlington forward Danny Mellanby has praised strike-partner Barry Conlon for helping push Quakers into the top five whilst easing him into his first year in professional football.

The Irishman's equaliser on Tuesday against Macclesfield made him joint leading scorer alongside Mellanby and Mark Ford, and the Newton Aycliffe youngster was more than happy to see Conlon get on the scoresheet.

"I'm as chuffed as anyone when he scores or anyone else. I don't care when I don't score, as long as we win," said Mellanby who has become a first team regular since joining in the summer from UniBond League Bishop Auckland.

"Barry's doing really well for us, he's just what we need.

"He's good for me and the team because he's experienced so he looks after himself against some of the teams that like to play rough.

Mellanby, 22, has profited from Conlon's aerial power, picking up his partner's knockdowns and believes Quakers are indebted to the ex-York strikers power in front of goal.

"Barry's a handful for defenders because of his size so he wins the ball in the air a lot so then I get it off him in and around the box."

After wasting several scoring opportunities at Moss Rose, Darlington, who have lost just once in the last nine League games, had to be content with a point, but the result sets Quakers up nicely for Saturday's Feethams fixture with Rushden and Diamonds who sit in 17th position.

Neil Wainwright came through the entire match as Darlington's reserves lost 4-1 at York City in the Avon Insurance League Cup last night.

Paul Campbell scored for Quakers' second-string who beat the Minstermen at Feethams 2-1 two weeks ago.

Darlington: van der Geest, M Smith, Paxton, Brumwell, Pearson, Campbell, Wainwright, Marcelle, Jackson, Sheeran, Rundle. Subs: Finch, Ellenden, Coghlan, Collins, Marsh.

* Confident Chris Turner believes self-belief is the key to ending Hartlepool's miserable start to the season.

Pool lie second bottom of Division Three, level on six points with rock-bottom Exeter and above the Grecians only on goal difference.

After Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Lincoln extended the run to just one win in nine, Turner came out fighting.

"Normally when teams are at the bottom they are struggling for form and to create things, but that's not the case,'' he insisted. "We just have to believe in ourselves and keep going. We had chances to go in front at Lincoln, but that's the way it's going for us. We lost 2-0 but played well and did everything apart from put the ball in the net."

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