Darlington may fancy their chances of an appearance in the third round of the FA Cup - but they might have to go into the replay against Luton without star midfielder Thomas Butler.

The on-loan star is considering a return to the Stadium of Light this week at the end of his second month's loan - but may be tempted to stay if he cares to remember the ovation he received when he was substituted in the second half of this Feethams clash.

Meanwhile, Quakers' boss Gary Bennett learned more on Saturday about the fine line between tactical success and failure.

Sometimes taking off a popular player can be an inspired move if it wins a game, but unfortunately for Bennett the switch didn't work out and a section of the fans let him know their thoughts.

A manager has to gamble but, in so doing, can become villain or hero.

If Butler does go, he will be missed dearly, but there was always the risk that the player would want to return or Peter Reid would recall him. He has provided balance on the right side of midfield, has good close control and makes exciting runs. Bennett will be hard pressed to find a suitable replacement.

And the worry then is, if Butler returns, will his close friend Kevin Kyle?

The pair have arguably been Darlington's best players in the last fortnight, so understandably, Bennett wants them to stay for the rest of the season.

The problem is that Butler has had a taste of the spotlight at Darlington, and he is hoping the form he has displayed at Feethams will help him move further up the pecking order at the Stadium of Light.

And Butler is considering a return to push for a place in the Black Cats' reserves.

"I've spoken to Peter Reid and Thomas about the situation," said Bennett, who had further brief talks with the player after the game on Saturday.

"Thomas has also been speaking to Sunderland and he feels that he still figures in the plans for Sunderland reserves and can play in their reserve team.

"He's made a name for himself while he's been at Feethams and he's got stronger and fitter since he came here. When we first took him, he could play for just an hour, but now he's able to play for the full 90.

"He's trying to do what's right for himself, and we're trying to advise him. Peter Reid has told us that we can have him for a third month."

The big problem facing Bennett is that should Butler decide to return to the Stadium of Light and then change his mind, under the rules regarding the borrowing of players, he then won't be able to sign Butler for the rest of the season.

Kevin Kyle is now in his second month on loan, and admitted that he will look at his situation at the turn of the year.

Bennett, however, defended his decision to take Butler off after 75 minutes. "I understand that Thomas is a crowd favourite, but I was trying to win the game.

"We didn't have any forwards on the bench, because of injuries. Jesper Hjorth, Gary Williamson and Adam Marsh were all injured.

"In the second half, I tried to play Thomas behind Kevin Kyle, but it didn't come off.

"I pushed Glenn Naylor back up, and brought Phil Brumwell and Stuart Elliott to make us more solid in midfield. I had to try another dimension - I couldn't leave things as they were."

There could be no faulting Quakers' effort and commitment as they pushed Luton to the end. Both sides had their chances, and there wasn't much to choose between them, which leaves the replay on Tuesday week finely balanced.

"I thought we matched them, especially in the first half," said Bennett.

"We had four or five good chances, and their keeper made two great saves from Richard Hodgson and Gary Himsworth. If any team was going to win, then it was going to be us."

The Luton danger man will be striker Liam George, who almost opened the scoring in the opening minutes, racing down the right and forcing Andy Collett to a diving save.

But then Quakers had Luton on the rack for a long period. After Brian Atkinson shot wide from the edge of the box, they nearly broke through after 15 minutes when Naylor set up Hodgson, but his low shot was stopped by Nathan Abbey.

The keeper pulled off a better save nine minutes later, when Atkinson picked out Hodgson again, and this time Abbey, going down to his right, pushed the ball around the post.

But Abbey was helpless after 32 minutes when Atkinson burst from midfield and found Kevin Kyle, whose curler from the edge of the area grazed the bar.

Luton came more into the game before half time, and Collett twice had to save from Paul McLaren.

But at least Quakers reached half time without conceding - they've let in first-half goals in their last nine matches.

They again took the game to the Hatters in the second half. Hodgson put a left-foot shot inches over, but the gloved George quickly replied with a break to the other end, which ended with a shot just past the post.

Quakers were then denied by a magnificent save by Abbey. Himsworth blasted a 35 yarder towards the top corner, but somehow Abbey managed to touch the ball over.

But as Bennett tried to find a breakthrough, by bringing off Hodgson and then Butler, Luton had the better of the last half hour.

Peter Thomson volleyed wide, and with five minutes left, he put a simple chance over the bar from a Matthew Taylor cross.