Darlington manager Gary Bennett's attempts to sign a striker to boost his side's goal shy attack were frustrated when Kirk Jackson turned down a move to Feethams this week.

A fee of £30,000 is understood to have been agreed with the 29-goal striker's club, Unibond League side Worksop, but the former Sheffield Wednesday trainee rejected the move.

Quakers' millionaire owner George Reynolds said he was prepared to pay a fee for a good player as the club tries to halt an alarming slide down the Nationwide Third Division table. He insisted the deal was not dead because Jackson had said he will still think about it.

Bennett did complete the free transfer signing of 18-year-old Adam Marsh from Worksop, but the U-turn on fees by Reynolds is a sign that the alarm bells are ringing at Feethams.

The euphoria of the 6-1 FA Cup win over Sudbury soon evaporated at a dilapidated Bloomfield Road on Saturday when Quakers lost 2-1 to Blackpool.

A league run of one point from seven matches has seen Darlington slip from a play-off place to 18th in the table, just eight points ahead of bottom club Carlisle United.

Quakers missed several chances at Blackpool before the Tangerines took the lead after 36 minutes when Brett Ormerod's header went into the net off Craig Liddle for an own goal.

It was two just after the interval when Paul Simpson curled a free-kick around the wall.

Quakers looked a beaten side, and, although substitute Jesper Hyorth scored his first goal of the season after 80 minutes, the game ended 2-1.

Tomorrow, Quakers are at home to Mansfield Town - who lost 6-0 last Saturday - in a game they must win.