Darlington manager Dave Penney hops that supporters will not see the 5-0 home defeat to Stockport as the overriding memory of the season but does admit the game summed up some of the problems of the season. Quakers conceded four second half goals as the Hatters cut through Darlington who were reduced to ten men after thirty-four minutes.

"I hope they look at the bigger picture," said the manager. "We have lost four in twenty-one since Christmas. If you carry that on for the rest of the season you are going to be there or there about. But that defeat is a lasting memory of this season."

Penney had few complaints with the red card which occurred when Tony Dinning hoisted the ball forward to Liam Dickinson who was brought down by Horwood. The resulting spot kick was converted by Anthony Elding. The Darlington boss though is refused to make excuses for the performance and feels the match sums up a few of the problems his side have faced since arrival in October.

"I spoke to Evan (Horwood) and he felt he pushed him when he cut across him so if it's a penalty there is going to be a red card. It looked like a penalty and we already had Mark Phillips carrying an injury," said Penney. "Whatever I say is just going to be making excuses but it just summed up the season since I've been here really. The defensive mistakes we've made have been the frailty of the club. We addressed it with the likes of Wheater but we just didn't have enough good defenders at the club."

Penney pulled few punches with his overall assessment of the game. "For half an hour we gave as good as we got but going down to ten men and the goal really knocked us and the result shows that. We got ragged and lost our shape. Ravenhill, Rowson, Collins and Wainwright put themselves about but they were probably the only ones. Certainly there are not many who come out with credit," he said.