On the evidence of Saturday's showing at York, the summer cannot come quick enough for Darlington.

With another seven games to play and not a great deal to fight for, perhaps Quakers already have one eye on two weeks in Magaluf because at Bootham Crescent Darlington were lacking in most departments.

Their below-par display did little to contribute to a dour game which was played at a frustratingly slow pace and numbered very few clear-cut chances for either side.

That said, Darlington weren't the only below-average side on display as York were similarly blunt in front of goal, despite the three-pronged attack of Alex Mathie, Lee Nogan and former Quaker target Michael Proctor, although Craig Liddle did have some say in numbing their threat.

Tommy Taylor's team rarely looked like scoring and any shots on goal were comfortable dealt with by keeper Alan Fettis who enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon - which was something that provoked one disgruntled Darlington supporter amongst the 814-strong travelling support to throw his shirt onto the pitch towards the end of the game.

Neither team created many clear-cut chances although the hosts did manage more shots at goal than Darlington who are, still, without a striker, and a fair result would have been a scoreless draw.

York certainly were not worth their two-goal advantage, and Taylor said: "It was an average game, there was nothing in it.

"It wasn't a hard game to play in today. They had three centre-forwards who were mobile and got about but I thought we dealt with that. Sometimes I feel sorry for the boys that they haven't got a forward to play with and hit the ball to.

"They had three and you could see they were centre-forwards because they were always looking to play around the box, one was dropping off and two were getting into the box."

Although the lack of strikers at Feethams is now a tired excuse and one which supporters are sick of hearing, it's also valid because the simple fact is that, any team, whether it be Man. United or Darlington, is going to struggle without a recognised goalscorer.

Some may argue Mark Sheeran is a striker, but it should be remembered he's still a teenager and only made his League debut two months ago, so should not be expected to carry a team's hopes just yet.

Midfielders Neil Maddison and Ian Clark have done an admirable job when filling-in upfront during recent months, but Quakers' striker quandary wreaks of the problems Sunday League outfits deal with each weekend.

Taylor added: "Wherever I've been I've always had five forwards to make sure if you've got enough in case of injuries. I haven't even got one!

"We can't fetch anybody in, we've just got to grin and bear it and I want to say sorry to the supporters for that, but that's the way it is at the moment.

"We need a bit of spark at the club."

Although Quakers' cause wasn't assist by injuries to Phil Brumwell, Brian Atkinson and David Brightwell, all of whom had to be substituted, Darlington certainly did not help themselves in the manner they conceded the two goals - both from set-pieces.

Quakers begun with a 3-5-2 formation but reverted to 4-4-2 within two minutes with Gary Pearson moving into midfield, but he was soon in the back four again when Brian Atkinson left the field with a knee injury after just 19 minutes.

None of this can have helped Darlington's game plan, and it was York who wasted the first half's best opportunities with Proctor displaying why so many clubs are said to be interested in him.

A quick turn and shot from the edge of the box was followed-up by some good build-up play which let in Nogan but the ex-Darlington forward fired wide from 16 yards. Shortly before the break Neil Wainwright's powerful shot from a tight angle, tipped wide for a corner, was all Darlington could muster.

Ten minutes after half-time, with Darlington still struggling to create anything, York took the lead via an outswinging corner which Keith Finch came to collect but was beaten to the ball by Mike Basham who headed into the net.

Taylor explained: "You knew that it was only going to take one mistake to concede a goal and we would find it hard to get a goal back into the game."

Twelve minutes later the game was over as York scored again, but not before, from Quakers' best move of the day saw Paul Campbell screw an effort wide of goal after Ian Clark played him through with a knockdown.

Goal number two came after another set-piece. Craig Liddle and Gary Pearson both felled Alex Mathie 20 yards from goal and from the resulting free-kick Proctor fired past defensive wall and into the bottom corner.

It was a precise piece of finishing and one which Darlington haven't come close to matching for sometime as Quakers have not won in their last nine games.

The game's low quality was summed-up when City's saviour, motor racing boss John Batchelor, was awarded the sponsors' man of the match award.

Although pleased with the victory, York's biggest League win since September, everyone present could see the match never managed to get out of first gear.