BELEAGUERED Darlington Football Club entered another critical phase last night as administrators battled to secure a compromise deal to keep the Quakers afloat to the end of the season.

Insolvency practitioners Wilson Field spent much of yesterday in talks with the Sterling Consortium - the financiers poised to take over the club - and the Football League.

It is hoped that all parties will reach an agreement over the next few days to allow the club to fulfil the rest of this season's fixtures, giving breathing space for a permanent takeover deal to be sorted out.

If the arrangement wins support from the league, it will provide more time for negotiations between Sterling and creditors, particularly former Darlington chairman George Reynolds.

Mr Reynolds has said he will not stand in the way of a rescue proposal if Sterling drops bankruptcy proceedings against him.

Last night, joint administrator David Field said the situation was precarious, as there was little justification for continuing to trade at a loss with no sale of the business looking imminent.

He said: "I'm hoping that by the end of this week we will have an agreement that will get us to the end of the season."

Mr Field said he remained optimistic that a deal could be done to ensure the club's survival.

But he warned: "We have a duty not to make things worse than they already are, and carrying on trading when we are losing money is making things worse."

* Darlington Supporters' Club is appealing for more fans to join its sponsor-a-seat initiative, which is backed by Quakers' boss David Hodgson. It costs £10 for supporters to have their names put on seats at the Reynolds Arena for life. Forms can be downloaded from the club's website at www.dfcsc.co.uk and are available on (01325) 243911.