CRITICS of the firm that handled Darlington Football Club's spell in administration have vowed to fight on for answers to their questions - but conceded that their chances were slim.

Creditors were livid at the deal which saved the Quakers in May, as it meant they walked away with less than a penny for every pound they were owed.

The club was eventually taken over by the Sterling Consortium, the financier that loaned £4m to former chairman George Reynolds towards the completion of the Neasham Road stadium.

Administrators Wilson Field came under fire from creditors unhappy with the settlement and investigations into their conduct were launched by several bodies.

They included the Department of Trade and Industry, the Insolvency Practitioners' Association and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

But none of the inquiries has yet produced results - to the anger of John Shannon, of Walsall joinery firm Beacon Woodcraft, which was owed £19,000 by the club.

He revealed that Wilson Field had offered to meet him after a series of letters were exchanged.

Mr Shannon said: "They have suggested we meet to discuss matters, but I would prefer my questions were just answered really. If I were to meet them, I would prefer it to be in the presence of the Football Association."

He is writing further letters to the authorities, but said: "The general attitude is that if you want to do something you will have to go to court and pay £50,000 court costs to recover what you're owed."

Wilson Field has denied any wrong-doing in the handling of the administration and rejected claims that there was a "veil of secrecy" surrounding its links to Sterling.