Jake Cassidy begins a suspension this week so will miss Darlington’s delayed FA Trophy tie at Southport on Tuesday.

The striker was sent off last week for serious foul play when Quakers lost at Boston United, a controversial red card coming in the early stages of the contest.

He would have been available at the weekend, but the match was postponed when Southport claimed “storm damage” at their Haig Avenue ground and “concern for the safety of spectators”, meaning the second round tie had to be postponed.

Cassidy has been an ever-present and made an impact in Quakers’ forward line this season, so his absence for three games is a blow to Alun Armstrong.

His side lost 3-0 at Southport in the league last month, and, speaking before the weekend, the manager pointed out he has additional defenders available since that game, when the hosts’ direct approach paid dividends.

He said: “We’re going to have some different personnel to deal with what’s going to be launched at us, and we still created chances in the first game despite us being poor.

“A lot of people said it was the last draw we wanted, but it’s a chance to right some wrongs.”

With a trip to Farsley Celtic or Stalybridge in the next round at stake, the winner of Tuesday evening’s tie receives £3,750 and the loser nets £1,000.