Darlington's Martin Smith made a return to action for the reserves yesterday afternoon and capped a successful come back with a goal. The former Sunderland man has been laid off with a long term knee injury but is well on the way to recovery.

Smith, who has not played since the end of last season, played an hour and scored the equalising goal in Quakers' 2-1 home win at Norton. Meanwhile right-back Neil Austin also came through forty-five minutes of the game after recovering from a hamstring strain. It was he who gave Darlington's reserve side their second successive win by scoring from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time.

Whilst Smith had a successful return to action it is unlikely he will be rushed back. The winger has made good progress but Darlington are not short of bodies and they can afford to take their time with the influential player.

Smith's goal came after he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net to equalise. The visitors had taken the lead through Ian Morris' excellent long range effort but that was cancelled out by Smith.

Scunthorpe were then down to ten men after just half an hour when Daniel McBreen was shown a red card for elbowing youngster Lewis Hardman. Despite the numerical advantage Austin's penalty was the only remaining goal in this second string clash. Quakers have now won two reserve games in a row having dispatched Grimsby 1-0 late last month.

FT: Darlington reserves 2-1 Scunthorpe reserves

Darlington: Liversedge, Austin, Burgess, Brackstone, Dobby, Wiseman, Hardman, McBride, Barrau, Reay, Smith. Subs: Moody, Groves, Gray, Smurthwaite.