ANY Quakers fans who expected David Hodgson to immediately cure Darlington's many problems were soon brought back to reality by last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hornchurch in the first round of the FA Cup.

The embarrassing exit at the hands of the Ryman Premier League side will certainly have brought home to Hodgson the monumental task he faces in trying to revive the fortunes of a club in turmoil.

It was his first match in charge after agreeing to take over the reins for the third time, but tomorrow's league game against Lincoln City at the Reynolds Arena was always going to take precedence over any dreams of Cup glory.

Quakers may be strengthened by the return of Craig Liddle after his one-match suspension and Ryan Valentine after a groin injury, but will be without the suspended David McGurk and Danny Mellanby.

The Imps, seventh in the table, have problems of a different kind with their manager Keith Alexander in hospital after collapsing at home on Tuesday night. He underwent surgery after a brain scan.

Hodgson, who was working hard to bring in at least one new player this week, has allowed Glen Robson to join Durham City on a free transfer and decided not to extend Alan Morgan's one-month loan.

Barry Conlon returned last Saturday after recovering from injury, but was unable to find the target as his colleagues struggled against their progressive non-league opponents.

Hornchurch broke the deadlock just before half-time when Clark Keltie brought down home skipper Steve West, who put away the penalty.

They went further ahead on the hour through Vincent John and Quakers could not recover.