WHAT manager David Hodgson wouldn't give for a bit of lady luck to shine down on his beleaguered Darlington side.

A frustrated Hodgson watched Boston United consign Darlington to their fifth game without a win in front of their lowest crowd of the season, 3,115.

The Quakers may be a shadow of the side which made such a confident start to the season, but with a touch of good fortune, better days could be just around the corner.

They squandered a host of chances against a side merely turning up to make up the numbers.

It was less than a month ago that a 2-1 win over Rochdale put Quakers second in League Two.

But, after draws against Notts County, Mansfield and now Boston, as well as defeats to Oxford and Bristol Rovers, the early season optimism has dwindled.

Hodgson introduced a 4-3-3 system at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, which worked to some extent, but still failed to prevent a 1-0 defeat.

Last night, after much deliberation with right-hand man Mark Proctor, Hodgson opted for a return to 4-4-2, with defender Joey Hutchinson keeping his place in midfield and Shelton Martis partnering skipper Matt Clarke in central defence.

The game was only three minutes old when Mark Greaves almost directed the ball into his own net from Carlos Logan's cross.

Darlington-born defender Alan White, who scored an own goal on his last visit with Leyton Orient last season, before the 'goal' was eventually credited to Clyde Wijnhard, almost repeated the feat when he headed Neil Wainwright's cross over his own bar.

David Duke's speculative high ball into the box had Abbey flapping in the 18th minute. However, Abbey wasn't the only player to misjudge the spin on the ball's descent to ground as Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu fell flat on his backside after his swipe at thin air.

Hutchinson demonstrated his defensive qualities in the 29th minute, heading away Simon Rusk's dangerous in-swinger, with Whelan lurking at the back post.

Russell's recent return to the side after a five-match absence may have been a welcome relief following Bert Bossu's ill-fated time between the sticks. However, Russell's first contribution of the game came straight from the book of Bossu blunder's in the 32nd minute.

Logan appeared to have done enough to break down a Boston attack, intercepting Joachim's run, before playing the ball back to Russell. But, instead of clearing, Russell took an extra touch, before charging the ball off the body of Whelan, before Quakers eventually hacked clear.

Just when the defending couldn't get anymore comical, Quakers were fortunate not to concede in the 43rd minute.

Under pressure from Joachim, Clarke made a hash of his clearance. And, after Russell saved bravely at the feet of the former Aston Villa striker, the ball fell out to Whelan, who saw his low effort rebound off the unsuspecting Clarke and wide of goal.

Ndumbu-Nsungu and Anthony Peacock both raised the tempo with efforts on goal.

Logan then sent a free-kick over the bar as Quakers continued to dominate against the worst side to visit the Darlington Football Stadium this season.

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