Darlington 0, Mansfield Town 2.

Darlington have not won a Boxing Day fixture for nine years and, after yesterday's sixth consecutive defeat, supporters must feel as though it's been just as long since they last saw their team win a match.

After Dave Penney's run of six wins in six games at the start of his tenure, Quakers' season has tumbled into freefall. But yesterday's game would not have even been played had Darlington had their way after a virus decimated the squad.

Injuries had already left them short, but due to illness only eight players trained on Christmas Day and yesterday several of the squad were sent home from the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena.

The entire youth team were put on stand-by as nine players were suffering from flu, while injuries to Neil Wainwright and Darren Holloway picked up at Wrexham on Saturday meant a total of 15 players were ruled out.

But those supporters not aware of Darlington's plight were left scratching their heads at a team selection that featured Mark Albrighton - not expected back from injury for two or three weeks - and out-of-favour Kalu Ngoma.

Strikers Barry Conlon, Alun Armstrong and Julian Joachim were all out which meant a shock first-team call-up for 17-year-old Shaun Reay while fellow teenager Josh Wright made his debut from the bench.

The changes did little to invigorate out-of-form Darlington and rarely did they look like ending their losing streak against Mansfield who had previously only won once away from home.

But Penney refused to blame his players, instead preferring to focus on the virus which had ravaged the squad.

"You try not to use it as an excuse but the situation has got worse as the days have gone by," he said. "We've already had six or seven not available with injuries and then this virus happens.

"I'm not going to have a go at the players because some of them should not have even played but we had no choice.

"Hopefully the supporters will realise that there were players playing who should have been at home in bed with a Lemsip.

"Brian Close, Simon Johnson and Craig James really should not have played and Martin Smith threw up before the game. Martin was violently sick at half-time but came out for the second half.

"They tried their hardest but it just wasn't good enough. We were nowhere near the races today."

Anthony Griffith was drafted in but his first contribution was to combine with keeper David Stockdale in helping Mansfield score the opening goal after five minutes.

His mis-kick in central midfield allowed Simon Brown to play a pass that saw Stockdale rush out of his goal but connect with nothing but thin air, allowing Richard Barker a tap-in to get the match off to what would become an uncomfortable afternoon for Quakers fans.

Had they known they would be watching what largely amounted to a reserve team, some supporters might have thought twice about leaving the house on a bitterly cold day.

Almost by way of apology, before the game even started, the PA announcer repeatedly made it clear Darlington were suffering from a flu bug, but that did not prevent boos greeting two quick fire Mansfield chances.

Matty Hamshaw and Micky Boulding were denied by Brian Close and Stockdale respectively.

Despite Darlington's lack of first-team faces, the back four was almost at full-strength which meant little excuse for being unable to defend properly.

Quakers attempted to edge back into the contest and on 23 minutes Craig James' free-kick led to Patrick Collins heading over from a good position and then Smith, playing as a striker, saw a long-distance shot tipped wide.

The visitors had won only one of their last eight resulting in the sacking of manager Peter Shirtliff last week, but Quakers gave them space to play in, resulting in numerous chances and plenty of possession.

That it was only 1-0 at the break was the biggest mystery with Nathan Arnold denied by Stockdale just before the half-time whistle which was greeted with more boos.

Just after the restart Barker headed wide from a good position but against a less-than-convincing Mansfield defence, Darlington at least attempted to make inroads.

However, the closest they came to seeing sight of goal was having a penalty appeal turned down for handball but it was soon 2-0 to the Stags.

Quakers failed to react to quick free-kick. Arnold fired across Stockdale and in off the far post with just over an hour gone.

There may have been 30 minutes to play but Darlington, their play peppered with misplaced passes, rarely appeared capable of getting back into the game.

It should soon have been 3-0 when Stockdale spilled Simon Brown's long distance shot but Barker skied the rebound over the empty net from six yards.

Six league defeats in a row is a record enough to convince some football club chairman to sack their manager. Although Penney's not going to be leaving Quakers, he's certainly got his work cut out if he wants to save Darlington's season.