SKIPPER Craig Liddle wasted no time in putting Monday night's deflating defeat to Sheffield United behind him as he prepares for Darlington's crunch derby match at Hartlepool on Saturday.

With the Worthington Cup first round tie heading for 30 minutes of extra-time, the Blades scored the winner deep into injury-time after a second period during which Quakers belied the gap in league status.

But Liddle was not too down-hearted after the match - which was delayed eight minutes with many supporters arriving just before the scheduled 7.30pm kick-off - instead, preferring to reflect positively on Quakers' performance.

"I think over the 90 minutes we deserved to take them to extra-time," said Liddle. "It looked as though it was going that way but we looked the more likely to score to be honest.

"We said before the game that they've got some fantastic players and we knew it was going to be a hard game and proved to be just that.

"We were defending well and we thought we might catch them on the break but it wasn't to be.

"We couldn't get the ball off them in the first half, they knocked it about well but I think we defended well because they didn't have any clear-cut chances. In the second half we more than matched them and put in a good performance.

"But maybe it was a blessing in disguise that we didn't because it saves us for Saturday's game."

Hartlepool remained unbeaten in the matches between the two sides last season, winning 2-1 at Victoria Park and drawing 1-1 in the Feethams fixture, where Darlington goalkeeper Andy Collett excelled himself to repeatedly thwart Pool.

And Liddle admits he's under no illusions as to what the game means to the supporters.

He said: "It's a massive game, we're due a win there but they're a very tough side so it'll be a hard match.

"I'm from the area so I know exactly what it means to the supporters so the lads will be giving everything to get a result."

There are very few tickets available for Saturday's match at Hartlepool, fans going to the game are advised to buy their ticket as soon as possible. Tickets are priced at £12 and £6, phone (01325) 240240 for details.

l Ken Bates has failed in his bid to oust David Dein from his influential position within the Football Association.

The Chelsea chairman stood against Dein for the position of vice-chairman and the result is the latest in a series of setbacks for Bates, recently involved in a public spat with FA chief executive Adam Crozier.

Within the FA hierarchy, Bates has been held largely responsible for the Wembley debacle, with many insiders claiming his grandiose plans put off financial institutions within the City of London and brought the project to the brink of collapse.

Bates was replaced as chairman of the Wembley project by Sir Rodney Walker, and though he initially agreed to carry on his work, he has since stepped down.

Read more about the Quakers here.