A disappointing draw at Mansfield proved decisive in Darlington missing out on last season's play-offs. Many more results like Saturday's would once again destroy dreams of promotion.

Already this season Quakers have needlessly thrown away points (when leading late on against Chester and Notts County) and prior to Saturday The Stags had won just one in seven.

That created uncertainty in the camp with Carlton Palmer's position as manager unclear - a team with aspirations of finishing in the top seven should be making light work of such sides.

But on a greasy surface Quakers almost slipped up at Field Mill. They ended thankful for the and although finishing the stronger following a poor first half, the draw was fair.

However, the focus has been taken off Darlington's disappointing performance by yet another howler from goalkeeper, Bert Bossu.

After emerging from the bench to score the equaliser for the third time this season, Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu should be at the centre of attention but, in what could have been Bossu's final game for the club, a second half gaffe gifted Mansfield a 2-1 lead. He has now conceded 11 in just five games and been at fault for at least three goals.

Midway through the second half Bossu controlled a back-pass from Joey Hutchinson but instead of passing to a team-mate, conceding a throw-in or belting it upfield the apparently nervous keeper passed it straight to Mansfield's Simon Brown. He couldn't believe his luck and kicked it straight into the net from inside the penalty area.

All too often Bossu stands on his line rather than deal with crosses and when he does come to collect, despite being 6ft 7ins, the keeper is less than convincing. Fans have lost confidence and his team-mates cannot be feeling much different.

Bossu's presence is costing Quakers so the sooner Sam Russell returns the better.

"The second goal, well, what can I say?" admitted Hodgson. "If ever a player needed to do something right to gain confidence and win the fans over then it is Bert.

"He is trying to win the fans over but, after that goal, it is not going to happen just yet.

"I told him that some of his team-mates made five or six errors, some in each half, but the first he makes ends up with the ball in the net.

"I have not asked him what he was intending to do, I just think he wanted to keep the ball in play and keep possession by passing it but instead he passed it straight to a yellow shirt.

"Sam was nowhere near fit so I would be happy for Bert to play next week and if he did so I would expect him to do a good job."

But the keeper's clanger should not be allowed to paper over the cracks. Against a poor side, Darlington were not at their best, especially in the first half.

Hodgson said Hutchinson had "left his football brain in the dressing room" while Shelton Martis again proved he is not a natural right-back, although the Dutchman almost scored the opener in fifth minute with a downward header.

Shortly afterwards Brown put the Stags ahead - apparently from an offside position - turning the ball over the line after Richie Barker's mis-cued shot found him in the six-yard box.

Despite going a goal down Darlington did not improve and could have been two down; Brown heading wide from a good position as the hosts coped better in the slippery conditions.

Darlington looked most dangerous at set-pieces and so it proved seven minutes before the break.

Logan whipped in a free-kick and Matt Clarke reacted quickest to backheel in from close-range after Kevin Pressman blocked Akpo Sodje's header.

At 1-1 against an average side the opportunity was there for three points but Darlington took a while to improve after the break and Brown put the home side 2-1 up in the 64th minute. It owed nothing to Mansfield's creativity and everything to Bossu's indecision.

The French keeper had fluffed two attempts to punch crosses away so there had been signs his concentration was slipping and so it proved when he panicked with the ball at his feet and promptly made an entry for a Christmas bloopers video.

Seconds after the restart Bossu did make an impressive save low to his left, but only after he had presented Mansfield the scoring opportunity having thrown the ball straight to an opponent.

Hodgson reacted by making a shrewd tactical switch, opting for 3-4-3 with Ndumbu-Nsungu upfront while Martis became part of a back three where he looked much more comfortable, and it worked a treat.

Darlington finished much the better side and on 74 minutes Ryan Valentine, who had moved effectively from left-back to right-midfield, and Simon Johnson combined to set-up Ndumbu-Nsungu to powerfully head home the equaliser.

Sodje then missed two chances to win the game, a header and a volley both off target.

But despite Bossu's blunders, Darlington have maintained a healthy start to the season losing just once in eight games. When Russell returns there will be no reason why Quakers cannot maintain their early season momentum.

Result: Mansfield Town 2, Darlington 2.

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