Darlington defeated

New-look Darlington gave a debut to 12 players but sank to a 3-1 opening day defeat at Aldershot Town. Two of the hosts' goals came before the break during a one-sided first half at the Recreation Ground. Striker Marvin Morgan fired the Shots in front early on, before Andy Sandell capitlised on a goalkeeping error by David Knight to make it 2-0. Knight was one of nine debutants handed a start by Quakers manager Colin Todd. And he gave first appearances to new loans signings Jamie Chandler and David Dowson as subs in the second half. But by that stage it was 3-0, right-winger Louie Soares doing the damage, although Darlington did improve during the second period. After Matt Plummer became debutant number 12, by replacing Steve Foster, Dowson gave Darlington some hope with a clinical finish, following a Dean Windass flick-on, but it was too little, too late. Darlington (4-4-2): Knight; Arnison, Foster (Plummer), Miller, Bower; Convery (Chandler), G Smith, Lumdson, J Smith; Windass, Thorpe (Dowson). Subs (not used): Liversedge, Bennett, Groves, Riley

Source: Northern_Echo