Darlington'S first game of 2004 brought no change of fortune as they suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient.

Not for the first time this season Quakers were unable to convert their dominance into that vital ingredient - goals.

Even home manager Martin Ling admitted he didn't know how the visitors had failed to win last Saturday's encounter after they wasted a string of chances.

The main culprit was leading scorer Barry Conlon, who could easily have bagged a hat-trick as Quakers piled on the pressure.

He was joined by Lee Matthews and Neil Wainwright in a three-pronged strikeforce as manager David Hodgson continued his attacking policy.

It looked as though that adventurous strategy would pay dividends despite Orient taking an early lead when Tom Newey - who impressed while on loan with Quakers last season - set up Ciaran Toner for the opener.

Darlington were largely in control after that, but their inability to hit the back of the net allowed three more crucial points to slip away.

The spectre of relegation looms ever larger, with revitalised Carlisle now only six points adrift of second-bottom Quakers, who stand three points behind Southend.

They will need to raise their game a notch or two tomorrow when they take on visitors Hull City, who have moved into second place in the Division Three table and seem to have come through a recent sticky patch.

Experienced keeper Andy Collett will not be involved after suffering yet more injury woe in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Gretna on Tuesday. He is likely to be out for six weeks after sustaining suspected ligament damage in a shoulder.

The 30-year-old had been on the bench for the last five games after recovering from a punctured lung and 16-year-old Jack Norton is now the only cover for current first-choice Michael Price.

Striker Mark Sheeran staked a claim for a return to the first team with a goal against Gretna. He also won a penalty, which was converted by Ian Clark.

Sheeran enjoyed a successful loan spell at Whitby Town recently and is certainly putting pressure on the current strikers.