TWO goals from Darlington-born Tom Craddock guided Boro to victory in their latest pre-season friendly, writes GORDON COX.

It was a mixture of youth and experience which took the field on a warm summer night as Boro continued their pre-season preparations.

There was the first action of the summer for Julio Arca, who took the captain's armband, and Stewart Downing, while 17-year-old left-back Joe Bennett and Darlington-born striker Craddock were also in from the start. Potential new signing Luke Young watched from the stands.

It was Downing who set up the first chance on a pitch which played heavier than it looked - seven days ago water was running down the outskirts of the playing area on another night of torrential rain.

Tonight Downing made light of a spongy surface to cut in from the left to set up Jason Euell, whose sharp shot on the turn was blocked.

Dave Penney had his Darlington side well organised and accurately struck shots from Ricky Ravenhill and Kevin McBride kept David Knight on his toes.

There was a worrying moment for Matthew Bates just past the midpoint of the first half as he appeared to twist awkwardly on landing before limping off pointing to the back of his left knee.

He was replaced by John Johnson, who went to right-back, with Seb Hines switching from there to centre-back.

Craddock looked lively and not long after hitting the crossbar with a close-range header he wasn't far away with a 40-yard effort.

Downing was next to attempt a breakthrough but a low drive from the edge of the box, flashed just wide.

The elusive goal did come with 36 minutes played. Arca, from the edge of the Quakers' penalty area, picked out Lee Cattermole. His volley was deflected away but only back to Arca.

Again the Argentinian took his time, this time picking out Tom Craddock, who took full advantage of good positioning and non-existent marking to head home just up from the edge of the six yard box.

There was a more competitive edge to the start of the second half with Ian Harty going close for the Quakers and Jason Euell and Arca likewise for Boro.

A clutch of substitutions saw the introduction of former Boro Academy player Kevin Burgess, now with Darlington, while Arca, Downing and Pogatetz all made way just past the hour mark, allowing David Wheater, who made a big impact when on loan with the Quakers last season, to play his part.

Boro went two up midway through the second half when Morrison went on a brilliant run from deep inside his own half and picked out Tom Craddock, who cracked home in fine style from a few yards inside the penalty area.

More changes brought a change of pace to the game and the exit of Darlington-born Morrison to a very appreciative round of applause.

In the closing stages Jason Kennedy wriggled through and looked certain to score but his low shot brought a good save from Stockdale.

Several Boro performances caught the eye for different reasons.

Bennett, composed and natural on his debut, Morrison for flair, Arca for composure, Craddock for his goals, but perhaps the best sight was towards the end of the game when every Boro player on the park, with the exception of Jason Euell, was a product of the club's Academy.

Teams

Darlington: Stockdale; Austin, White (Capt), Abbott (Blundell 68), Purdie (Wainwright 68), Ravenhill, Collins (Burgess 59), McBride (Rhodes 76), Wright (Winn 81), Brackstone, Harty (Wisse 68). Unused subs: Pocklington (gk); Clarke, Reay, Hardman, Rhodes.

Boro: Knight; Hines, Bates (J Johnson 25), Pogatetz (Wheater 61), Bennett (Kennedy 76), Morrison (Hillerby 76), Cattermole, Arca (Capt) (Walker 61), Downing (Owens 61), Craddock (Thompson 76), Euell. Unused subs: Turnbull (gk).

Referee: Mr C Oliver

Conditions: Warm and sunny

Attendance: 4,395 (2,137 Boro fans)

Boro website Man of the Match: Joe Bennett