By Martin Walker

Steve Staunton says it was Chris Moore's variety of crossing which prompted him to give the 26-year-old a dream chance to play professional football.

The Quakers boss today signed Moore from Northern League first division side Whitley Bay.

And he said: "I'm looking forward to seeing him play. He's hungry, and a determined young man. He has plenty of pace and he's a good crosser of the ball and an eye for a goal so he'll be a good addition for us.

"What I like about him is that he's got a good variety of crosses. For someone in the lower leagues, his variation of crossing is excellent.

"He actually picks people out, he has a look. Even in Championship football, or League One and Two, they put balls into areas, but Chris actually has a look to see what he's going to do."

Moore will travel with the Darlington squad to Northampton on Saturday, but Staunton is playing his cards close to his chest.

"He took a couple of knocks recently and had a tough game on Tuesday night so we'll have to see," he said.

"He trained today and it was a work-out for the boys, and he was fine, so there's no problem whatsoever with his fitness levels.

"He'll travel with us but we'll have to see what happens."

Staunton admits he was surprised Moore has possibly turned down the chance to appear at Wembley again, with Whitley Bay currently in the semi-finals of the FA Vase this season after reaching the final last year.

He added: "I wasn't expecting it but from the boy's point of view he's been given a chance at a professional club and he played at Wembley last year so maybe he's thinking 'I've done that, let's move on and see if I can hack it at a higher level'."