A VINDICATED Jon Daly last night cut a relieved figure after the Football Association overturned the Hartlepool United striker's suspension and he is now free to play against Darlington.

Daly was controversially sent off on Friday night just 18 minutes into the League Two fixture at Chester City - after being accused of elbowing Dave Artell.

The Pools forward had vehemently denied any wrongdoing and, after Tyne-Tees Television supplied enhanced footage of the incident which highlighted his innocence, the FA confirmed yesterday that the red card had been rescinded.

Now Daly, top-scorer for Pools with eight goals this season, is relishing the opportunity to play in the club's first meeting with their North-East rivals in the league at Victoria Park since September 2002.

"I would have been gutted to be ruled out of the game on Saturday," said Daly. "It's one of the biggest games of the season for us, the fans will be there in their numbers and it's a massive day for them.

"It would have been a nightmare to miss it.

"So I am just glad that I am free to push for my place in the side.

He added: "I knew as I soon as it had happened that I had done nothing wrong. I was shocked to see the red card come out.

"It would have been easy for the manager [Danny Wilson] to just go along with the decision but he stuck by me and thankfully the appeal has been successful."

Daly's availability has boosted Pools ahead of Saturday and Darlington's caretaker boss Martin Gray feels the right decision has been made.

He was at last Friday's game on a scouting mission and he said: "I didn't think it was a bad tackle.

"But it was very near to the linesman and because their player reacted like they do these days, it made it look worse than it was.

"I'll be honest about it, I think it was their player that got Daly sent off.

"Daly went for the ball, he collided with the full-back and the full-back went down like a sack of potatoes.

"It's wrong and it's something that should be stamped out of football."

Pools already know they are likely to be without Darren Williams, Tony Sweeney and Michael Proctor, while both Ali Gibb and Willie Boland face a race to be fit.