FOCUSED Craig Liddle last night backed new skipper Neil Maddison to help Darlington erase the threat of relegation.

New manager David Hodgson has made Maddison his captain, bringing to an end Liddle's long run in the side with the armband on his sleeve.

But the inspirational centre-back admitted the change will be of great benefit in the club's fight against the drop after having a talk with Hodgson.

The former Middlesbrough defender revealed he was happy to see Maddison take over the captaincy at the midfielder's hometown club.

"The gaffer knows of my pressures and he wanted to freshen things up as well," said Liddle, who was part of a side led by Maddison which drew with Lincoln on Saturday.

"For the good of the club I will not complain about it. I'm happy about it.

"I sat down with the manager when he came in and I have a lot going on away from football and I've got injuries as well.

"We thought it would be best to take a bit of pressure off me and if it benefits the club then I'm happy.

"I've had three and half years of being captain and I've really enjoyed it. But I have got no problems with handing it over to Maddo because he is a Darlington lad. Maddo will do a good job and I know that."

Hodgson's first Division Three game in charge on Saturday ended with Darlington earning a point, ending a six-game losing streak in the League.

Liddle admits it is the return of Hodgson, who is in his third stint in charge, which has boosted confidence among the playing staff.

"Everybody starts with a clean slate under the new manager," said Liddle, who is hoping for another encouraging display at Swansea this weekend.

"Everybody now has to prove they are good enough to stay in the team and show they deserve their place in the side.

"I'm sure the gaffer will not allow anybody's standards to drop either. The most important thing is that we have got a point and we are on our way now.

"The whole atmosphere of the club has been lifted. Dave has come in and he has turned everything around at the club and it has given everyone a massive lift.

"I thought that you could see the effect he has had by the way we played against Lincoln. That's as good as we have played for a long time."

l The Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield has confirmed Lincoln boss Keith Alexander remains ''under observation'' after undergoing brain surgery last Friday.

Alexander is currently recovering from the complex operation to repair a ruptured cerebral aneurysm (a swelling of a blood vessel) which caused him to collapse last Tuesday evening.

''Following surgery Keith remains poorly and under close observation,'' a statement from the hospital read.