DARLINGTON'S problems show no signs of easing after they were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy by Conference side Kidderminster Harriers last night.

Quakers may have been bad at Bury on Saturday, but David Hodgson's men sunk to an even lower ebb in front of 696 supporters at the Aggborough Stadium.

Progress in the LDV Vans Trophy may not be at the top of Hodgson's list of priorities, but what it did provide was an opportunity to get Saturday's defeat at Bury out of their system. And that it did, but not how Hodgson would have planned.

At the weekend, Hodgson felt the wrath of fans, unhappy with the manner in which Quakers suffered their latest setback.

Before kick-off he took the time to mingle among the 65 Quakers fans who made the long journey.

But, come the final whistle, Hodgson could only sympathise with the die-hards, who justifiably booed their team off the field.

Gareth Sheldon's 82nd minute penalty sealed Quakers' fate after Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu had given the visitors an early lead.

Ndumbu-Nsungu's 16th minute penalty followed an assured start from the visitors, who broke with fluidity and appeared good value for a place in the second round for the first time since 2001. But, once Wayne Hatswell levelled just before half-time, Quakers soon returned to their old ways.

"Kidderminster wanted to win the game from the first minute until the last and we didn't," said Hodgson. "At the moment we have players who are showing more fight in the changing room than on the pitch.

"I can hardly remember us having a shot after we scored. We've got genuine players in there who love the club and we have others who don't seem to have it.

"I'm responsible for these players and at the end of the day it all falls on my shoulders.

"I've just made it clear that the players have nowhere to hide at Cheltenham on Saturday."

With just one change from the side, which lost three days earlier - Anthony Peacock replacing the injured David Duke - Hodgson provided his line-up with a second chance to make amends.

There were only 30 seconds played when Harriers defender Daryl Burgess was booked for a challenge on Simon Johnson.

Quakers were fortunate not to fall behind in the eighth minute after a mistake by Adrian Webster. After dispossessing Webster in the corner, Terry Fleming crossed for Simon Russell, whose side-footed effort was only half cleared, before Fleming headed narrowly wide.

But, it was Quakers who broke the deadlock through Ndumbu-Nsungu. Referee Darren Deadman had little hesitation in pointing to the spot after Peacock was felled by Hatswell and Ndumbu-Nsungu made no mistake, drilling the ball past Daniel Lewis.

Quakers were made to work hard to preserve their early lead against a side relegated from League Two last season. It was against Quakers in March this year that Harriers last won a game in the Football League, winning 2-0 at the Aggborough Stadium.

And, with virtually the same squad, Harriers were by no means easy fodder for Quakers.

Simon Russell, Harriers' most dangerous player in the first half, showed a good turn of pace in the 35th minute to beat the Quakers defence, before driving his low shot inches wide of Sam Russell's goal.

The Quakers keeper had to be alert moments later to guide Hatswell's speculative long-range effort into the side-netting.

However, Harriers' villain was soon the hero when Hatswell's next effort drew the home side level, heading past Russell on the stroke of half-time.

After a confident start to the second half from Harriers, one-time Quakers target Iyseden Christie drove well wide after Shelton Martis was caught in possession.

With the visitors looking far from at ease, Harriers broke again through Simon Heslop, who could only turn his shot wide.

And, if those warning signs weren't enough for Quakers, then Sheldon's free-kick, which struck the Quakers upright, certainly struck a chord.

Bringing Webster off on the hour mark, Quakers switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Akpo Sodje.

But even a change in shape failed to thwart Harriers, who continued to press forward for a second goal. And, after Sheldon got in behind the Quakers defence, Sam Russell was forced to save bravely..

Sheldon was again denied by the Quakers keeper, this time from a well-worked free-kick.

At the other end, Sodje came within inches of restoring Quakers' lead, stabbing his shot wide.

But, when the game looked to be heading for extra-time, Sheldon made it 2-1 from the spot.

Simon Russell then rattled the cross-bar late on, but by then the damage had already been done.

It can't get any worse on Saturday, can it?

Kidderminster Harriers 2 - 1 Darlington

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