Darlington Director of Football Luke Raine last night pledged that Quakers will bounce back from their latest set-back.

Quakers plunged further into the depths of despair with a terrible performance in the LDV Vans Trophy at Port Vale on Tuesday, prompting discontent from the travelling fans near the end of the 4-0 defeat.

And there are now deep worries among supporters that unless Quakers improve soon they will drop even deeper into the relegation mire.

After just three league wins in 18 games, they lie sixth from bottom, just four points above basement club Exeter City.

Raine had a meeting with George Reynolds, manager Gary Bennett and new assistant manager Mick Tait yesterday and Raine said: "We have given Gary the go-ahead to try to bring players in as soon as possible.

"It is obvious that we need some new blood to stop us dropping further down the table.

"I am determined that we will get it right. We need to improve dramatically over the next couple of weeks and we must make extreme efforts to bring in players of good quality. If I have to work 24 hours a day to pull this round, then I will do so. We must give the supporters something positive to shout about."

Quakers are watching the situation at crisis-torn Hull closely and are targeting a couple of players, one of whom is midfielder Gary Brabin. But they will face strong competition for the players, who could walk away from the club next Wednesday if they go another week without being paid.

"We are monitoring the situation but we can't make any approaches until we know for certain what is happening," said Raine.

"But it isn't just players at Hull which we are keeping an eye on. We will be making enquiries about several players.''

Darlington covered their pitch yesterday to protect it from the heavy rain and are optimistic the crucial game against Shrewsbury at Feethams on Saturday will go ahead.

Meanwhile, midfielder Glenn Naylor picked up his fifth booking of the season at Port Vale and will miss the home game with Cheltenham on March 20 because of suspension.

Quakers have announced the ticket details for the home game with Hartlepool on March 10.

Because Pool fans are being given all the South Terrace, season ticket holders from that area will be able to use the West Stand free of charge, as long as they obtain a ticket by February 24. Non-season ticket holders from that area can buy West Stand tickets from February 24 if they produce ticket stubs from one of the next two home games.

South Terrace season ticket holders can go in the Tin Shed if they wish free of charge, or pay a transfer fee of £3 (or £2 for concessions) into the East Stand. The game is not all-ticket.

Suggested dates for Quakers rearranged home game with Southend are Tuesday April 3 or 10