IT was golfing great Gary Player who came up with the immortal phrase: "The more I practice, the luckier I get".

And Mark Proctor believes Darlington should heed those words if they are to overcome their problems.

Player's 24 PGA Tour wins may dwarf Darlington's Division Four and Football Conference titles, but Proctor insists Quakers can take a lot from a saying that has remained etched in his mind.

"I remember something Gary Player once said about working hard and getting lucky and that is something we should think about," said Proctor.

"At the moment we've just run out of that little bit of luck you get at times and we might just get some if we assert ourselves more."

The Darlington assistant manager has watched his second season with the club deteriorate rapidly from the high hopes of August.

Proctor and manager David Hodgson could easily point the finger of blame at certain disrupting influences, who have been and gone, or the injuries which have ravaged the first-team squad.

There is also an increasing feeling among fans that the team Hodgson has built is simply not good enough to mount a serious promotion bid.

But, having demonstrated its capabilities in the opening weeks, when Quakers occupied second spot in League Two, the squad is good enough, according to Proctor.

"We're getting a little bit of criticism and rightly so," admitted the former Middlesbrough midfielder.

"The results aren't good, but it can change very quickly. We know what we're capable of, although we can't waste any more time telling people how good we are. We have to let our feet do the talking."

Quakers slipped down to 16th - their lowest league placing of the season - after their sixth straight away defeat at Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

And, given that no Darlington player has scored from open play in the last six games, Proctor is in no doubt where their problems lie.

"We are not scoring goals, which makes the world of difference," said Proctor. "We're on a bad run at the moment and there's no getting away from it.

"We have to continue creating chances and just see if we can capitalise on them, which we haven't done for a while.

"We need to get our noses in front somewhere and give ourselves something to hang on to."

At second-bottom Stockport County, managed by former Hartlepool boss Chris Turner, Quakers may not have a better opportunity to claim their first away win in 11 attempts.

County have won just once at home this season but have drawn seven of their nine games at Edgeley Park.

"It's a game both teams are desperate to win. They're near the bottom and need the points, while we need to arrest our slide with a win," said Proctor.

"In fairness, I think this is the first time we've been involved in the bottom half and the sooner we're out of it the better as far as I'm concerned. We have to be aware of the situation we're in but we have to be positive and believe that we can turn things around.

"It's a tight league and if we can string a couple of results together the picture can change quite dramatically."

The squad returned to the North-East on Wednesday afternoon. After training on Thursday, Hodgson gave his players the day off yesterday. "We've been getting knocks and niggles, so we thought we'd try something different," explained Proctor.

And, despite the defeat at Gay Meadow, Proctor has also hinted that Quakers could remain unchanged this afternoon.

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu impressed Proctor at Shrewsbury and Quakers' leading scorer is expected to continue in attack.

Skipper Matt Clarke is available after a thigh injury but the defender may miss his second consecutive game for the first time since April 2003. Joey Hutchinson should get the nod to partner Shelton Martis in central defence.

Ryan Valentine plays his final game before serving a one-match ban after his fifth booking of the season at Shrewsbury.

Anthony Peacock will be rested for a second game, meaning Phil Stamp will make his second start for the club after scoring on his full debut at Shrewsbury.

On-loan striker Tresor Kandol is unlikely to recover from a shoulder injury in time to face County.

Former Hartlepool forward Jermaine Easter, who has scored nine goals this season, is suspended for Stockport. Tes Bramble, brother of Newcastle defender Titus, is likely to be partnered by Dean Crowe.

Read more about the Quakers here.