STRAIGHT-TALKING Darlington midfielder Mark Ford last night questioned the attitude of his failing teammates.

Quakers lost at home to Torquay in embarrassing fashion and Ford, up against his former teammates and keen to avenge a 2-1 defeat at Plainmoor back in September, admitted: "The attitude of some players was poor and the people in the crowd who were booing had every right to do that.

"It looked at times that we were looking towards next season, just as we did at the end of last season when we threw away the last ten games.

"Tuesday's performance wasn't great, although it wasn't bad. It was all about heart really and that's what you've got to give."

As well as questioning his teammates' performance, Ford was brutally honest.

"It was horrendous from start to finish - an absolute nightmare," said Ford, who was returning to the side after recovering from a groin injury.

"We changed the formation and put a few new players in the team but we didn't start well and we were pathetic. It was the worst we've played all season, but all credit to Torquay because they played us off the park.

"They could have been four or five up at half-time and you couldn't have complained about it - Keith Finch made some great saves and kept us in it."

After arriving at Feethams in February last year when chances of a successful season were already lost, Ford admits to being frustrated that Quakers are far from a promotion-chasing side, but he has no plans to seek a move away from Darlington.

He said: "I like it here. I'm settled where I am but I'm just disappointed that we haven't challenged for promotion this year. It's all right saying next season, but it never seems to happen here.

"The club needs to start moving forward otherwise the 3,000 is going to dwindle to 2,500."

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