DAVID HODGSON will not need to think twice when, at the end of the season, he reflects on where it all went wrong for Darlington.

While Hodgson put last season's failure to secure a play-off place down to inconsistency, come May this term, the Quakers boss will no doubt reflect on the wretched luck he has endured with strikers.

It all started in October when first choice forward Clyde Wijnhard was sent packing to Macclesfield following off-the-field problems.

Replacement Tresor Kandol came and went after just six appearances - Hodgson dissatisfied with the forward's lack of professionalism after his failure to turn up for a training session.

Typically, it had to be Kandol who came back to haunt Hodgson at the weekend with a goal that has all but ended any lingering hopes of a play-off place.

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu didn't need asking twice when his 11 goals sealed the Congolese forward a surprise move to Cardiff City in January. Despite his departure two months ago Ndumbu-Nsungu remains Quakers' leading scorer.

Despite the shenanigans of Wijnhard and Kandol, Hodgson feels the exit of Ndumbu-Nsungu has hit his side the hardest.

Had Ndumbu-Nsungu kept to his word with Hodgson and signed a contract extension until the end of the season, Quakers may not be in the sorry predicament they now find themselves.

Similarly, had Burnley not suffered an injury crisis, Kyle Lafferty would still be on loan at Darlington and, would no doubt have added to the three goals he notched in nine appearances.

Guy Bates has so far failed to make his mark in Hodgson's side, while Andy Cooke, after arriving on loan from Bradford City has yet to hit the goalscoring heights many had anticipated.

Cooke and Jemal Johnson formed Hodgson's latest strike pairing at Barnet on Saturday. But, after Quakers drew a blank for a fourth game in five outings, Cooke admitted: "It's been difficult. The manager has done his best to keep on top things, but it hasn't been easy.

"We just need to restore a bit of pride really and hopefully the lads will get it right."

Only an astonishing triple save from Barnet keeper Ross Flitney denied Quakers an 86th minute equaliser.

Flitney's save from Jemal Johnson was impressive enough, but in redeeming himself to save from Akpo Sodje and Taiwo Atieno typified the season Quakers have had in front of goal.

"I think those saves just summed up our day to be honest," said Cooke. "The balls weren't dropping our way and it's just one of them horrible things that happen in football.

"We've had quite a few games like today and it's not nice. Not only for the players but for the fans who have made the trip down here."

Quakers took over 300 supporters to north London on Saturday and Cooke sympathised: "There was a lot down here today and you have to feel sorry for them. They have been amazing since I've been here and they deserved a lot more.

"The fans get annoyed and they have a right to be at times."

Manager David Hodgson all but conceded his side will be a League Two side next season.

Quakers remain seven points outside the play-offs with eight games remaining but, regrettably, Cooke shares Hodgson's sentiments, adding: "You've got to be honest and we would need to win all our remaining games.

"We've had our chances and we haven't taken them."

In six appearances, Cooke hasn't scored since opening his account on his debut in last month's 2-1 defeat at Peterborough. Even by his own admission, the 32-year-old has not had the best of campaigns.

Cooke has been in and out of Bantams boss Colin Todd's first-team plans this season, although he still managed to make 23 appearances, prior to his loan move to the North-East.

"I'm not looking to make any excuses or anything. I've just had a really bad season," admitted Cooke. "Opportunities haven't come and I haven't taken them when I should have.

"I've played a lot of games this season, but I have been in the side one week and out of it another at Bradford.

"The opportunity at Darlington came along and it was a chance for me to get out and get playing again."

Cooke's Bradford deal expires at the end of the season, although the forward has yet to learn whether or not he will earn an extended stay at Valley Parade.

He said: "I'm out of contract at the end of the season, but I'm not sure what the situation is.

"I know that Bradford aren't in the best of situations on the financial side. I'll just take things as they come at the end of the season and see what happens."

But, while uncertainty surrounds his Bradford future, it is unlikely Cooke will be making his temporary move to the North-East a permanent one at the end of the season.

The Shrewsbury-born forward has expressed his desire to play closer to his home town, having spent 11 years away from Shropshire. Cooke spent five years at Burnley, before sealing a £300,000 move to Stoke in 2000. After three years at the Britannia Stadium, Cooke moved to South Korea, where he played for Pusan Icons for a season and-a-half, before returning to England with Bradford in January last year.

He said: "I've been about a bit and at this stage of my career I need to be putting my family first. I've always lived away from home and Darlington would be another step further away again.

"Things need to be put into perspective and I will have a look at my options at the end of the season."

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