A GOAL by former Darlington striker Mark Beck helped condemn Quakers to defeat on Friday at Harrogate Town.

Beck scored a first-half header for the National League outfit, who won the friendly 2-1 with winger Jarrett Rivers on target for Alun Armstrong’s side.

As the manager attempts to bed in his new side, he selected a strong starting XI for what was Darlington’s second friendly of the summer.

All nine of his summer signings were involved, though it was long-serving Stephen Thompson who got recorded the first shot on target, bringing a save out of James Belshaw.

Beck scored on 22 minutes, heading home at close range from Warren Burrell’s cross, and it was 2-0 early in the second half.

Half-time substitute Lloyd Kerry played a ball behind Darlington’s defence to Burrell, who took a touch before beating Chris Elliott.

Rivers pulled one back on 66 minutes, combining with fellow former Blyth man Jamie Holmes with an attack down Darlington’s left before beating Belshaw with a low shot.

Armstrong made five second-half substitutions, among them Mitchell Glover who has returned to the club after trial with Barnsley, while three Bermudans were again given minutes: Osagi Bascome, Tehvan Tyrell and Justin Donowa.

Darlington’s next friendly is on Monday at Bishop Auckland (7pm).

Meanwhile, Alan White has left Darlington. A Quakers statement read: “The club would like to thank Alan White for his outstanding service as assistant manager and acting academy head coach, and wish him well for the future.”

Paul Thomas, who was head of youth, has been appointed as the new head of academy.

Referee: Jon Moss

Attendance: 483

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, G Smith (Fallowfield 44), Falkingham, Burrell, Beck, Leesley, Kiernan, Stead (Thomson 45), Hall (Howe 45), Brown (Kerry 45), W Smith

Darlington: Elliott, Trotman, Liddle (Galbraith 71), Atkinson, Laing (Glover 87), Watson, Rivers, Hatfield (Donowa 76), Campbell (Tyrell 87), Thompson (Bascome 76), Holmes. Subs (not used): Hall (gk), Halliday, Bell