Darlington captain Craig Liddle appeared to seal his departure from Feethams after last night's 4-1 defeat at home to Plymouth.

The inspirational skipper responded to supporters' backing when he spoke to fans 20 minutes after the game and wished the club all the best for next season.

The captain emerged from the dressing room after the game to address the supporters and in a short, but somewhat telling speech, he said: "It's been overwhelming the support I've had. I'd like to thank you all and I wish you luck for next season."

Fans leaving the ground interpreted Liddle's emotional words as a farewell speech.

If the game was his last at Feethams as a Darlington player, it was hardly played the manner he would have liked as Plymouth, especially in the first-half, ran Quakers ragged.

The result was a dismal way to finish off Darlington's home League programme as Plymouth Argyle clinched the Division Three championship with the victory.

But that was the least of Quakers' concerns, because, as well as Liddle, the focus of attention was on chairman George Reynolds.

For the second game in succession, the chairman stayed away and fans were quick to pick up on his absence as they sang: "Part-time supporter."

Liddle, however, received altogether more welcoming chants. When he was announced as man of the match, the captain received a standing ovation and "One Craig Liddle" was regularly heard.

After the match manager Tommy Taylor said: "The fans gave him man of the match and they cheered him all night.

"We will have to wait and see what happens in the summer.

"We have seen things like that from those fans all season. You would have thought we had won promotion the way they came onto the pitch like that.

"There are a lot of people who support the club and they have been tremendous.

"There's people who have had a snipe but we will have a great team for next season."

The game was over as a contest by the 28th minute as Plymouth deservedly rattled in three goals without reply and from that point onwards the Third Division champions were on cruise control.

After just ten minutes Micky Evans opened the scoring as Darlington struggled to clear the ball before it was crossed to the veteran striker at the far post to prod home.

Just seven minutes later they doubled their lead when keeper Chris Porter's clearance was swiftly returned as Plymouth won an aerial duel for the umpteenth time and Marino Keith latched on to the ball before firing clinically past Porter.

Darlington should not have lost track of the Plymouth forwards as they wore some dazzling day-glo shirts, but Keith managed to evade Quakers' attention when he was afforded as much time and space as he wanted to notch the third.

Shortly afterwards Ian Clark scored his 15th goal of the season via a penalty, but by then Plymouth had the points, and the title, in the bag.

They wrapped up the win when Edgar Davids look-a-like Jason Bent drove home from the six-yard line as Adam Rundle failed to clear.

Taylor said: "I thought my players did their jobs really well against a Plymouth side who set their stall out to put loads of crosses into our box.

"We were not the tallest team and we found it hard to defend Plymouth's set plays.

"We did not defend that well and it was a shame to get beaten.

"But Plymouth were worthy of going up. They were a fit, strong and physical side.

"We just want to keep going now until the end of the season."

Last night's game should have been the final outing at Feethams before the club moves to a new 25,000 all-seater stadium - but with uncertainty over when the Neasham Road site will be finished, Quakers are likely to kick-off next season at Feethams.

Two days after Quakers spoiled Scunthorpe's promotion bid, the game offered Darlington the opportunity to postpone Plymouth's title win until Saturday, but the visitors were in no mood to mess about.

And neither were many of Darlington's supporters who made their feelings quite clear after the final whistle as they chanted "We want Reynolds out.

Read more about the Quakers here.