Darlington captain Craig Liddle has hit back at the wife of George Reynolds, saying her comments at last night's Fans Forum were "out of order".

The players, who had been ordered to attend, stormed out just half-an-hour into the meeting after chairman George Reynolds' wife Susan, who is also a director of the club, said players sometimes "throw" matches deliberately at this time of year.

Her comments came five days after Darlington put in a very poor display when losing 3-1 at home to relegation-threatened Torquay.

There was immediate uproar among the 350 supporters in attendance and the players stormed out to the applause of the fans.

With such disharmony clearly now affecting the club there were fears Darlington's first team squad might refuse to play as Mrs Reynolds' comments are sure to cause unrest.

But Liddle, the club's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) representative, claimed the players had no hard feelings.

"We are just a little bit shocked at the accusations," he said.

"To say we threw the game was out of order. People are going to have bad games and good games. It was wrong to say, but the players aren't prepared to get involved in a slanging match."

He insisted the team had walked out of the meeting because they didn't want to get involved in an argument, but had not walked away from the club and would be travelling to Exeter today, as expected.

"I think, obviously, we've got a game on Saturday and really we just want hope that the matter can be closed now.

"We didn't want to be involved in the debate anyway. We just look forward to Saturday's game. Despite what's gone on, the lads will give 100 per cent as always.

"I've never been called a cheat in my life and I think maybe it was made in the heat of the moment - I know the players won't hold anything against anybody.

Liddle said the players would not be taking the matter further, although the PFA would probably become aware of the situation through the media. After walking out of the meeting, the players went to a nearby hotel and had a drink before heading home to concentrate on tomorrow's game.

Manager Tommy Taylor backed Liddle, and promised that his players will turn out tomorrow at Exeter and not call a strike.

"We will have a team on Saturday and they will play their hearts out, don't worry about that," said Taylor.

"They'll be fine tomorrow. I shall speak to them on the bus to Exeter and I know they'll play.

"I can understand their reaction. No professional player would ever, ever dream of throwing a game and I was a bit upset with the comment. But when people spend a lot of money on something and they don't get a lot back for it, things do go round in their mind.

"I don't think what Susan said was meant to come out like it did, but as a professional, you don't want to hear someone suggest that you aren't trying, or you're trying to throw a game."

Supporters roundly booed and jeered Mrs Reynolds and as a result she left Feethams' Ambassador Suite and refused to return.

Taylor said: "I understand the fans' reaction because I know what the fans' passion is like up here.

"I wasn't surprised at the amount of people who were here. I knew this place would be jumping - I just wish we could have another 5,000 or 6,000 like them."

Mr Reynolds also took criticism from supporters who are worried about the club's future, and especially his reluctance to spend money on new players.

He conducted a poll to which the majority of fans in the room agreed to a £3 admission increase, if the extra money would be spent on players.

* Darlington were dealt a double blow yesterday when Barry Conlon and Andy Collett were both ruled out for the remainder of the season, and the keeper may not even be back in time for next year.

Collett was set to return at Exeter, having recovered from two broken ribs, but he suffered a collapsed lung and was rushed into hospital for an operation.

Taylor was left stunned by the news as he's already without several first-team players.

With 16-year-old Andrew Grainger of the youth team as Keith Finch's only back-up, Quakers would hit a serious problem if Finch were to incur an injury after the transfer deadline this month.

Conlon took a knock at Leyton Orient on Tuesday and was expected to be out for five weeks maximum, but results of a scan revealed he is out for the season

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