DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has often questioned why the club has struggled to attract bigger crowds, but yesterday's shambolic defeat at the hands of Rochdale may have provided a clue or two.

In future Hodgson might think twice before sending out any more heartfelt pleas for support after watching his side succumb to their fourth home defeat of the season, wasting the chance to go fifth in League Two.

When Quakers make their next appearance at the Williamson Motors Stadium - for the visit of Macclesfield on January 3 - any hopes of attracting a crowd near the 7,028 who attended yesterday's Boxing Day debacle look decidedly slim.

The club's decision to admit under-16s for free may have been a huge success, but to maintain a steady flow of support, Hodgson knows that his side has to produce when it matters most.

Not for the first time, an opportunity to pull in extra fans has gone begging.

It was 16 months ago that 11,600 turned up for the historic first game at Quakers' new home, only to see Kidderminster Harriers ruin the day with a 2-0 win.

Less than half - 4,666 - turned up for their next home game against Leyton Orient.

"I spoke to the chairman, Stewart Davies, before the game and he told me that it was one we must win," said Hodgson. "I knew where he was coming from because we were expecting our biggest crowd of the season.

"The important thing today was to hold on to those 7,000 fans, but with a performance like that you don't.

"We always blow it when there's a big occasion and this was a big occasion."

A double from Grant Holt and Tai Atieno's opener sealed a deserved victory for mid-table Dale.

Just eight days after Quakers were beaten 3-1 at Boston United, Hodgson fumed: "I'm disappointed teams are scoring too many goals against us.

"Sam Russell made some good saves for us and that was because Rochdale went through us like a hot knife through butter.

"I think two or three of the lads may have had too much Christmas pudding."

After the icy pitch passed an afternoon inspection, there was only two minutes played when Leo Burtos appeared to be in an offside position when he latched on to Ernie Cooksey's ball over the top, before volleying wide of Russell's goal.

And moments later Cooksey was unmarked in the box to head tamely into Russell's arms.

At the other end Neil Wainwright - returning to the side at the expense of Ryan Valentine - floated a dangerous ball to the back post for Ian Clark, who headed wide under pressure from two Dale defenders.

In the 17th minute Russell had to be at full stretch to tip Bertos' low effort around the post after Craig Hignett lost possession on the edge of his own area.

Russell was equally alert a minute later, doing well to hold on to Dale skipper Gary Jones' 25-yard drive.

However, the keeper was picking the ball out of the net in the 19th minute.

Curtis Fleming was the latest player to come a cropper on a difficult surface.

After pouncing on Fleming's slip, Atieno homed in on goal before rifling the ball under Russell.

As Quakers looked for a quick reply Dale keeper Matthew Gilks did well to get down to Clyde Wijnhard's low effort.

Aiming to make amends for his earlier error Fleming blazed over with 34 minutes played.

And just to add insult to injury the former Republic of Ireland international was then booked after accidentally colliding with Bertos.

The impressive Adrian Webster took proceedings into his own hands with half-time approaching.

After a strong run into the Dale penalty area, the midfielder exchanged passes with Wijnhard, before drilling the ball across the face of goal, as Greg Heald steered the ball inches wide of his own goal.

Bertos should have put the game beyond Quakers in the 58th minute.

With a strong hint of offside, he latched on to Jamie Clarke's through ball before firing straight at Russell.

New Zealand-born playmaker Bertos - who has a habit of turning on the style against Quakers - more than made amends in the 62nd minute, assisting Grant Holt for his 17th goal of the season.

He caused problems galore in last season's 4-2 defeat at Spotland and Quakers still cannot keep him in check.

After cutting past Matt Clarke inside the area, Bertos squared for Holt, who bundled the ball past Russell from six yards out.

Holt completed a miserable afternoon for Quakers in the 78th minute, rising highest at the back post to head Clarke's cross past Russell.

Result: Darlington 0 Rochdale 3.

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