Darlington'S defending let them down again as they finished a dreadful second at League leaders Chesterfield yesterday.

Quakers conceded two poor goals to hand the points to Chesterfield and also end their brief revival.

But more disappointing for the travelling fans was the fact that former Darlington keeper Mike Pollitt did not have a save to make in the Chesterfield goal.

And the fans voiced their disapproval at the final whistle by chanting for manager Gary Bennett to be dismissed.

Bennett revealed he was forced to play without the injured Paul Heckingbottom and Jesper Hjorth, while striker John Williams played with both hamstring and toe injuries.

But he was still left disappointed with the display following Quakers' 3-0 win over Lincoln last Saturday.

Bennett said: "To go from a great performance on Saturday to this was very disappointing.

"Our decision making on the field was very poor.

"I can understand the supporters' frustration and why they were shouting for my head.

"Results will have to improve, but at the end of the day my hands were tied because of the unavailability of players.

"I was very disappointed with our display, not only in defence but also as a team.

"I had to make a couple of changes to the team which disorganised us a little bit, but it was still 11 against 11."

On the substitution of Williams on the hour which prompted severe criticism, Bennett said: "He had a toe injury on Saturday, then he rang me on the morning of the game to tell me that he wasn't fully fit because he also had a hamstring injury.

"I can understand the fans' frustration, but I was frustrated myself first thing on the morning when I received the call from John.

"He wanted to continue playing, but my hands were tied."

Quakers had a penalty claim turned down after eight minutes when a cross by John Williams into the box dropped for Steve Walklate, who claimed that he was tripped by Lee Richardson as he went for the ball.

At the other end Ryan Williams also claimed he was impeded by Glenn Naylor as he closed in on a free kick, but referee Paul Danson waved play on.

The first real chance of the game came after 17 minutes when Luke Beckett hit a shot from the corner of the penalty area which Andy Collett held comfortably.

But the writing was on the wall two minutes later.

Beckett should have opened the scoring when he ran clear of the offside trap, but dragged his shot wide with just Collett to beat.

Quakers had what turned out to be their only chance of the game after 21 minutes when David McMahon found space to cross low from the right and Naylor was just inches away at the far post.

Beckett had another opportunity after 23 minutes when Rob Edwards crossed to him at the far post, but the striker headed wide.

However, there was no let off for Quakers after 25 minutes.

A corner from Williams from the right was not cleared and the unmarked Sean Parrish hammered the ball home with his drive from the edge of the box.

Quakers, despite playing with five in midfield, did not offer anything in attack and they went further behind after 39 minutes with again big question marks over their defence.

A deep free kick from the right by Ryan Williams appeared to be going out of play beyond the far post, but Beckett, despite the attention of two defenders, managed to squeeze the ball through Collett's legs at his near post with the outside of his right foot.

And it was nearly three before the break, but first Parrish and then Jon Howard fired wide as the hosts ran the show.

Bennett reshuffled at half time with Stuart Elliott coming on for the injured Martin Gray, the Quakers' boss reverting to a 4-4-2 formation with Walklate dropping to left back.

But the switch did not appear to work, as Ryan Williams volleyed over from ten yards after he was set up by Rob Edwards, then Parrish headed an easy chance over the bar from six yards out after Ryan Williams dribbled past Walklate down the right.

Bennett was forced to change things again after an hour when he sent on Richard Hodgson and brought off the injured John Williams to loud criticism from the travelling fans.

But it was still all Chesterfield with Ryan Williams always posing a danger down the right while Quakers never threatened at the other end.

And it came as no surprise with ten minutes left when the disillusioned Darlington fans started singing: "We Only Want One Shot"

Unfortunately for them, that never happened and they responded by chanting for Bennett's removal at the end of the match.

l Neil 'Bomber' Harris took his total to 18 with the hat-trick which took Millwall clear at the top of Nationwide Division Two after a 6-1 win over Colchester at the New Den.

Harris, a £30,00 bargain buy from Cambridge City two years ago, became the division's top scorer with goals in the 18th, 76th and a 90th minute penalty while Paul Moody added a couple and Paul Ifill competed the rout of United who had won their last three and netted through a Robbie Ryan own goal.