New signing Jake Cassidy was given an outing from the substitutes bench as Darlington put in an improved performance in their friendly with Middlesbrough under-23s yesterday.

It ended 1-1 at Blackwell Meadows, Boro’s Josh Coburn scoring early before Junior Mondal levelled midway through the second half.

A week ago, Quakers lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle United under-23s, and in midweek lost 5-1 against Harrogate Town, so manager Alun Armstrong will have been pleased with yesterday’s showing.

Boro boss Neil Warnock watched from Blackwell balcony and saw his club’s young side score a second-minute goal, Coburn turning in a right-wing cross.

But Darlington then created and missed some good chances. Alex Storey headed wide from a Will Hatfield free-kick, then Ben Hedley skimmed the top of the net with a curling shot from 25 yards.

Hatfield and Kevin Dos Santos were both off target with efforts before half time, and at the start of the second half, Luke Charman fired just over the top.

After Darlington goalkeeper Tommy Taylor saved well from Coburn, the home side levelled when Dos Santos got around the back of the defence on the left and set up former Boro youngster Mondal to turn home.

Former York striker Cassidy came on as sub after 65 minutes, 24 hours after completing his move, and he was off-target with a volley.

Darlington sub keeper Lucas Martin made two good saves, and in the closing minutes, Hatfield put a good chance over the top.

In the dying seconds, another Darlington triallist Andrew Nelson struck a powerful shot that came back off the crossbar.

Darlington have two more friendlies before the season starts: Sunderland under-23s on Wednesday (7pm) and away to Whitby on Saturday (3pm).

Darlington: Taylor (Martin 75), Hedley (Hope 60), Storey, Breeden, Smith (Griffiths 60), Hatfield, Mondal (Cassidy 65), Purver, Rivers (Ravenhill 65), Charman (Nelson 65), Dos Santos (Kiernan 65). Subs not used: Woodhouse, Winstanley

Middlesbrough: Brynn, Gitau (Green 70), Kokolo (Willis 75), Sykes, Hannah, Wells (Walker 46), Gibson, Malley, Coburn, Hackney, Balde (Marshall 75)