QUAKERS go into a crucial spell of five games in 15 days with a lengthening injury list adding to manager Gary Bennett's woes.

Reserve goalkeeper Frank van der Geest this week joined midfielder Gary Himsworth in being ruled out for the season. In addition, defenders Adam Reed and Paul Heckingbottom and midfield men Martin Gray, Brian Atkinson and Paul Campbell are all struggling with injuries.

Only Gray and Atkinson have a chance of joining the squad for tomorrow's relegation dogfight at bottom club Carlisle United.

Bennett has no injury worries among his strikers - but none of them are scoring any goals. Quakers' tally of 27 goals in 30 league games is the second worst in the division; top scorer is Glenn Naylor with five, and he has not found the net since October.

Feethams fans saw the latest addition to Darlington's vast array of goal-shy strikers on Saturday, when Clint Marcelle made his debut after his move from Hull City.

The diminutive Trinidad international looked lively against Macclesfield Town but was given no support by the sluggish John Williams.

Quakers made a disastrous start against the Silkmen, their defence being constantly breached in the opening minutes. The only goal came when keeper Andy Collett brought down John Askey, and Kieron Durkan scored from the spot.

Bennett reshuffled his defence and Quakers improved, and on the half-hour Marcelle was sent tumbling in the box.

Mark Ford saw his spot kick saved, but the referee ordered the kick to be re-taken and this time Ford blasted the ball home.

After tomorrow's six-pointer at Brunton Park, Quakers travel to Torquay United on Tuesday night