It is father versus son tonight at Blackwell Meadows when the Armstrongs go head-to-head in Darlington’s latest pre-season friendly.

Manager Alun Armstrong sees his Quakers side face Harrogate Town (7.30pm), who will feature his son Luke.

The 25-year-old moved to the League Two club earlier this summer from Salford City, fresh from helping Hartlepool United gain promotion from the National League.

The forward played the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s friendly with Sunderland, a 4-0 win for the Black Cats, while at the same time Darlington lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle United under-23s.

There will be no Mark Beck in the Harrogate squad, however, as he has joined York City on loan having turned down a chance to rejoin Darlington.

His decision was a blow to Quakers, who start their season on August 14 and Armstrong still aims bolster his squad with five players, including defenders and strikers.

Harrogate finished 17th last season after winning promotion to the Football League for the first time via the National League play-offs in 2020.

Next week Quakers face youth sides from Middlesbrough and Sunderland - Boro’s youngsters are at Blackwell Meadows on Sunday (1pm), and the Black Cats kids visit on Wednesday, August 4 (7pm).

Darlington’s final friendly is on Saturday, August 7 at Whitby Town, before the National League North kicks off a week later at home to AFC Telford United.