By Martin Walker
Ian Miller admits it's hard for Darlington fans right now, but asking for them to try and stick things out.
The Quakers skipper is refusing to give up the ghost as Darlo bid to drag themselves away from the foot of League Two.
They go to fourth-placed Bury tonight hoping to avoid a sixth straight defeat after their 3-1 loss at home to Torquay on Saturday.
"It is difficult for the fans," admitted Miller. "I've been a fan and you want to see your team winning and getting points week in, week out but it's not as easy as that.
"Not all fans understand that and I don't think they all will have left the game on Saturday thinking we played some decent stuff in patches, which we did, they will see that we lost 3-1 at home again.
"They've paid their money so they are entitled to their opinion and nobody should ever stop them from having an opinion, but if you're a Darlington supporter then you support us through thick and thin and right now we're going through a rough patch.
"Those who are turning up now really are the loyal supporters. I just think sometimes you've got to take the rough as well as the smooth."
Miller reckons nobody in the Quakers squad has conceded defeat yet.
He said: "None of the lads feel as though this isn't going to turn around. All the lads are trying to stay as buoyant as possible.
"It's not nice with the way results going the way they have been. But we can see positives in each of the performances that we've been putting in and we've got to draw on that.
"We lost 3-1 on Saturday but it's no good thinking that we're dead and buried or that the season's over. We've still got numerous games left to play.
"It's not easy though, I won't lie to you and pretend everything is hunky dory but the lads are keeping their heads up which is what the manager is asking of us.
"He doesn't want anyone to give up or drop their head because as soon as you think the season is all over then it will become an embarrassment."
