CONTROVERSIAL referee Paul Alcock put himself firmly in the spotlight last Saturday when Darlington's visit to Scunthorpe United disintegrated into chaos and a crushing 7-1 defeat.

But the final score was almost academic after an explosive first half in which Quakers had two players sent off, assistant manager Mick Tait banished from the dugout and conceded four goals.

The home side had taken a seventh-minute lead through former Darlington striker Martin Carruthers before Alcock - once famously pushed to the ground by Paolo di Canio - took centre stage and mayhem broke out.

Barry Conlon, just back from suspension, was the first to see red when he was deemed to have elbowed Nathan Stanton.

Steve Torpey then doubled the Iron's advantage midway through the half before Alcock infuriated Quakers still further by pointing to the penalty spot when Lee Hodges went down under a David Brightwell tackle.

The impressive Peter Beagrie converted the spot kick, then Darlington found themselves down to nine men after Mark Ford was dismissed for a strong challenge on Hodges.

Tait also received his marching orders after coming on to the pitch to remonstrate with the referee and Carruthers rounded off a calamitous first half for Quakers by making it 4-0.

Furious Darlington manager Tommy Taylor was only dissuaded from keeping his shell-shocked troops in the dressing room at half-time by his opposite number Brian Laws.

The nine men worked hard to keep the score down in the second half, but Gareth Sheldon, Torpey and Richard Kell added further goals. Dan Chillingworth at least managed a consolation goal for Quakers.

Alcock completed a memorable performance by failing to caution Torpey for punching the ball into the net, claiming he was unable to identify the offender.

Darlington have launched an appeal against the red cards, but Taylor wasn't optimistic that Alcock would change his mind.

Meanwhile, the uncompromising manager sacked French defender Alex Jeannin this week for breaking the club's curfew rules.

How Quakers react to events at Glanford Park when they face York City at Feethams tomorrow could have a crucial bearing on the rest of the season. Taylor needs to get the players quickly re-focused on picking up points.