Blyth Spartans 1 Darlington 2.

COLIN Todd will run the rule over another couple of trialists during the forthcoming friendlies with Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough, but the Darlington boss admits the club’s budget could rule out any more permanent signings before the start of the season.

Midfielder Mark Convery made his second trial appearance in the space of four days last night as the Quakers had a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Blue Square North side Blyth Spartans.

Early goals from Chris Lumsdon and Lee Thorpe were a fair reflection of Darlington’s first-half superiority, and while Darren Craddock’s 66th-minute header took some of the shine off the visitors’ win, Todd will be more concerned at the lack of depth in his squad that is already becoming apparent.

The Darlington boss was without three senior members of his 17-man squad yesterday evening - Craig James (hamstring), Matt Plummer (thigh) and Jeff Smith (toe) are all battling to be fit for Thursday’s home game with Sunderland - but while further trialists are likely to appear in the remainder of the pre-season programme, permanent signings are not guaranteed.

“I’ll have trial players in, but the problem I have is that the budget I have is probably only going to accommodate loan players,” admitted Todd.

“I’ve got a little bit of leeway, but I have to use it wisely.

People are talking about Mark (Convery), and if he can continue to display the same form against better opposition, then I’ll have a decision to make. But we also have to work within our means.”

Having caught the eye repeatedly against Billingham, Convery was slightly less impressive last night, even if his forays down the right wing posed a number of problems to a Spartans side led by former Darlington and Hartlepool boss Mick Tait.

Fellow midfielder Lumsdon took the man-of-the-match honours instead, and scored in the ninth minute.

Teenage winger Josh Gray crossed from the left, and Lumsdon directed a deft header into the top right-hand corner.

Thorpe doubled Darlington’s lead with his second goal in four days shortly after, although there was an element of fortune about the effort as the striker’s shot was saved by Mark Bell, only for the rebound to come back off the number nine and loop over the stranded goalkeeper.

Substitute goalkeeper Nick Liversedge produced a smart low save to deny striker Ian Graham, but Blyth reduced their arrears when ex-Pools centre-half Craddock glanced home Gareth Williams’ subsequent corner.

BLYTH (4-4-2): Bell, Harrison, Craddock, Leeson, Brackstone (Webster 38), Mc- Cabe, Williams, Turnbull, Tait (Wrightson 81), Graham, Alexander.

DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Knight (Liversedge 63), Bennett (Hewitson 63), Starosta, Miller, Groves, Convery (Riley 76), Lumsdon, G Smith, Gray, Thorpe, Windass (Main 46). Subs (not used): M Smith, McReady, Robinson, Woodhead.