DARLINGTON skipper Craig Liddle last night paid tribute to manager David Hodgson's transformation of the club from relegation certainties to promotion hopefuls in the space of a year.

Hodgson made a shock return in November last year with the club in serious financial trouble and the threat of relegation looming.

But, despite the shackles of administration, Hodgson steered the club clear of the drop in May.

After re-shaping his squad in the summer, financial restrictions were lifted in September - when the club came out of administration - and Quakers now stand on the brink of a play-off place.

With 19 games played last season Quakers occupied a place in the relegation zone.

At the same stage this season, Hodgson's men lie ninth in League Two and just one point short of a play-off place.

"The gaffer has been here just over a year and he's turned the club around," said Liddle.

"It's unbelievable what he's achieved in such a short space of time."

Liddle was part of the Quakers side that Hodgson led to the Third Division play-off final in 2000, and now he believes the boss can achieve a similar feat in his third managerial stint at the club.

He said: "He's done a fantastic job and I'm sure he would be disappointed if we didn't make the play-offs.

"This time last year we were one of the favourites to go out of the League and everything was up in the air off the field.

"It's nice that everything has settled down and we can look to the future."

Liddle returned from injury last month after spending seven weeks on the sidelines with knee and stomach problems.

"I'm still getting a little bit of pain with my stomach, but the knee has settled down and is feeling a lot better," said Liddle.

"We've played a lot of games recently and that hasn't helped my stomach, but with the rest we have this week I should be in good shape for the Mansfield game."

Read more about the Quakers here.