NEW Darlington striker Jack Maskell is confident he can make the step up and shine in National League North.

The teenager dazzled in the Northern Premier League East Division for Dunston last term, scoring 26 goals in 36 games, and previously impressed in the Northern League.

That form led to a host of clubs showing an interest in his signature this summer but it was Darlington who won the race for the 19-year-old, who put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Quakers.

And he's itching to get going.

"It all came out of the blue really," said Maskell of his move to Blackwell Meadows.

"The chairman from Dunston spoke to me and said Darlington were interested but I didn't hear much more and then it all happened quite quickly. I was buzzing when I found out, really happy.

"I was expecting a few teams to come in but I didn't know what would be right for me, which is the main thing. I've heard a lot of good things about Darlington so I'm really looking forward to it."

On the back of his brilliant breakthrough over the past couple of seasons, Maskell, who scored a hat-trick in Dunston's play-off final defeat to Stockton last term, is confident he won't be out of place in National League North, where Quakers are looking to build on last season's great escape under boss Steve Watson and assistant Terry Mitchell.

"I'm expecting a lot more experience from the defenders and physicality but I think I should be able to hold my own," he said.

"It will be a good test but I'm definitely ready for it.

"I'm a bit of an all rounder. I like making runs in behind, I like coming to feet, being in the air and I graft. That's one thing I'll always do, graft.

"Playing for Steve and Terry is definitely one of the main reasons I wanted to come. I've heard a lot of good things about Terry and Steve. That made it an easy choice."

Maskell is now working hard on his own training programme to ensure he's fully fit for the start of pre-season and ready to hit the ground running.

He said: "I can't wait. I can't wait for pre-season and to have my first home game, that's what I'm mainly looking forward to. I can't wait to get started."