Darlington manager Gary Bennett is today hoping to persuade Carlisle boss Ian Atkins to let him have keeper Peter Keen on loan for the remainder of the season.

Keen's month's loan runs out today and Bennett wants to keep the former Newcastle keeper for Quakers' last seven matches of the relegation battle.

Bennett was trying to speak to his former Sunderland teammate yesterday, but failed to make contact.

"I'm hoping we can get something sorted out because Peter has done well since he came here," said Bennett.

Keen has finished on the losing side once - on his debut against York - and has kept two clean sheets.

"Whether I stay or not depends on what the managers say, but I want to stay here," he said. "I'm playing with a great bunch of lads who have made it easy for me.

"It's still very tight at the bottom, but another three points should see us safe.

"There are so many teams being dragged into it but we've done really well, with just one defeat in seven games."

Quakers' problem could be that Atkins may decide to recall Keen, as the Brunton Park first choice Matty Glennon conceded six at Rochdale on Tuesday night to leave the Cumbrians three points off the bottom of the table.

If Keen goes back Bennett might have to rush Andy Collett, who suffered a broken thumb against Hartlepool last month, back into action.

"Andy has had his plaster removed and is back in training. We'll have to see how he is," said Bennett, who has youngster Keith Finch and deadline-day signing Phil Naisbett in reserve.

Meanwhile, skipper Craig Liddle last night warned his teammates they are not safe from the drop yet.

The 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury on Tuesday lifted Quakers to 15th in the table, a position they haven't occupied since Christmas.

But Liddle isn't getting carried away. "I still don't think we're safe, despite the position we're in. Things can change quickly," he said.

l Darlington striker Kirk Jackson scored during the reserves' 2-1 loss at Scunthorpe last night - but was later sent off for retaliation to seal a night of misery for the Quakers.

Jackson will now miss the last three games of the season.

Brian Atkinson stepped up his comeback with a 60 minute run-out.