IT may be very early in the season to talk about relegation six-pointers, but Darlington manager Mick Tait knows his side desperately needs a victory over managerless Carlisle United at the Reynolds Arena tomorrow.

Quakers' miserable start to the season continued with their fourth defeat in five games when they lost 4-2 at Rochdale last Saturday and tomorrow's visitors are the only side below them in the Division Three table.

Defender Joey Hutchinson returned from injury to make the starting line-up at Spotland, replacing French midfielder Fabian Bossy.

That was the only change from the team which defeated Leyton Orient in the previous game and Darlington received a boost when they went ahead on the half hour.

David McGurk, one of the few plusses of the season so far, climbed well to head home a Chris Hughes corner, but the home side drew level just seven minutes later when Lee McEvilly converted a contentious penalty.

The Northern Ireland international added a second four minutes later, but Quakers went in level at the break thanks to a 35-yard strike from Gary Pearson.

A change of formation for the second half saw Matt Clarke drop back into defence, but Rochdale regained the initiative when Paul Connor scored just before the hour mark.

A free kick from Leo Burtos six minutes later virtually wrapped up the three points for the home side and condemned Quakers to their third successive defeat on the road.

There appears little chance that the club will bring in any new signings in the near future, so Tait must somehow coax better performances from the players available.

He may be tempted to bring back rested midfielder Ashley Nicholls tomorrow, while Neil Wainwright may also come into the reckoning after missing the last three games with a groin injury.