FRENCH trialist Lenit Zezu was the star of Darlington's fightback in their 4-2 friendly at South Shields last night.

Zezu scored twice within a minute and made another in the second half to save the reserves' blushes after they were trailing 2-0 at half-time.

The Frenchman forced a full length save out of Shields keeper John Caffrey from the edge of the box after 15 minutes, before Shields striker Paul Thompson beat a static Darlington defence to a through ball and lobbed Keith Finch for the opener after 38 minutes.

And the tall striker made it two for the home side just before half-time with a diving header.

Zezu was the only threat for Quakers and Caffrey had to pull off another excellent save from a 25-yard, left-foot shot.

Zezu finally broke through after 65 minutes. A poor clearance by Caffrey was pounced upon by Lee Trainer and he played the ball forward for Zezu to beat his marker and head into the empty net.

The other French trialist on show, defender Christophe Raymond, capped a comfortable game by crossing perfectly from the left a minute later for his countryman to head the equaliser from six yards.

Quakers took the lead after 76 minutes when Lee-Paul Scoggins cleverly controlled a left-wing cross from Mark Angel and dummied the keeper before walking the ball into the net.

Zezu became the provider after 77 minutes when he crossed low from the right for Angel to volley the fourth.

However, the Frenchman then had to go off with an injury caused by a late challenge.

Manager Gary Bennett said: "It's important not to get carried away. We'll see what the Frenchmen are like when they play stronger opposition at Grimsby in the reserves next week."

Meanwhile Bennett has denied that he is interested in signing former Newcastle midfielder Ian Bogie.

Bogie, who is from the North-East, has been training with Quakers after being released by Port Vale at the end of the season and it had been suggested that Bennett might want to add him to his squad.

"Ian has been training with us to keep himself fit," said Bennett. "He lives up here, and he knows Neil Aspin from their days together at Port Vale.

"We've got no interest in signing him. We've already got Stuart Elliott, Martin Gray, Brian Atkinson, Glenn Naylor and Gary Himsworth who can play in there and there are others also in contention. We're quite strong in that department."

Bogie, 32, could sign for Kidderminster, where he has already played a trial game under the watchful eye of manager Jan Molby.

Bennett also emphasised that he is not in a panic to sign a keeper.

"People seem to think that I'm in desperate need for a keeper, but I'm not. People are getting the wrong idea.

"Andy Collett will play at Rochdale at Saturday - there are no doubts about his fitness at all.

"What I'm trying to do is create competition for him. If I don't get one before Saturday, then I've still got Keith Finch who can go on the bench."

l HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner yesterday backed new signing Tony Lormor to help spearhead his side's promotion bid.

The 29-year-old striker has signed a two-year deal with the Victoria Park outfit after his move from Mansfield Town.

And the former Newcastle United frontman, who has signed for an undisclosed fee is seen as the final piece in the Pool jigsaw as they bid to achieve their promotion dream.

"We are delighted to get Tony. Not only can he put himself about, but he gets goals and also sets them up.

"His all-round play is something which the whole team can benefit from.