A POSITIVE attitude is the key to Darlington triumphing in their crucial clash with fellow strugglers Shrewsbury at Feethams today, according to manager Gary Bennett.

Quakers are now just four points off the bottom of the table following Carlisle's victory last week.

And the Conference trapdoor is starting to slip open following a run of just two league wins in the last 15 matches, against Lincoln City and Mansfield.

Morale among the fans wasn't helped by the dismal performance at Port Vale in midweek and the failure to bring in any new faces.

The club has held lengthy talks with three players, who are all understood to be from Hull, over the last few days, but so far they have failed to make a breakthrough.

"It hasn't been for the want of trying," said Bennett.

"We spoke with them until past midnight on Wednesday, and until 9pm on Thursday.

"They have told us that they need a little bit more time to think about the move and I can understand their point of view.

"They're very keen but it's a matter of waiting for things to happen over the weekend. We will start talks again on Monday."

Bennett sees today's clash against Shrewsbury as an opportunity for a much-needed turning point in the season.

"This is a real six-pointer for us," he said.

"It is important that we get the right result, because that will get us up and going again, and lift everybody's confidence.

"The players need a morale boost after the game on Tuesday. On the positive side, it might be a good thing that we're out of that competition so we can concentrate on the league.

"We weren't at our best at Port Vale but we can't take anything away from them because they played some very good football.

"Half a dozen of the players we fielded the other night were kids and that showed. Port Vale were full of experience and ran the game. Our players are still learning."

Bennett was unhappy with the attitude shown by some of the players on Tuesday and said: "It is one of the reasons why some of them are playing at this level.

"You can't put your shirt on one or two players performing at their best.

"It's a mental thing and I've told them that if they want to play at the highest level then they must be mentally tough, especially in a game like this.

"If there are 3,000 or 4,000 criticising at this level, what would they be like in front of a crowd of 30,000 or 40,000?

"They must go out on to the field with the right attitude and make sure we win the game."

Bennett's biggest problem today will be how to cope with the absence of star defender Craig Liddle because of suspension.

Adam Reed will replace him and partner Mark Kilty in the centre of defence, while Martin Gray will probably return to a midfield which looked decidedly weak at Port Vale.

"Adam will come into the team in a straight swap," said Bennett. "He has done well in the past in the centre of defence and he prefers playing there rather than at full back."

Football director Luke Raine has appealed to fans to be on their best behaviour today and support the team 'to the full.'

"Abuse, either towards other players, opposing fans or other people, won't be tolerated," he said.

"We want people to come to the game and get behind the players in a positive manner. We have some important matches coming up, starting on Saturday and the players need all the support they can get."

Raine is also mindful of the events near the end of last season's game against Shrewsbury, when a last-minute goal from Glenn Naylor prompted a pitch invasion which resulted in the FA threatening Quakers with a points deduction.

Bennett is still interested in signing Frenchman Nicolas Forge. The full back impressed in two reserve games, and Bennett plans to hold talks with the player's agent.

"One or two things need ironing out," said Bennett. "It is a complicated process signing a player from France."