Little epitomises a team's troubles better than a defender having to play as an emergency striker - that Darlington finished Saturday's 0-0 draw with two centre-backs up front said it all.

Their lack of numbers was epitomised by Graeme Lee and Jonatan Sanchez-Munoz being paired in attack as they attempted to carve out a winner at home to Forest Green Rovers, but a goal always appeared unlikely.

There was no lack of endeavour from Quakers who started brightly and Lee won plenty in the air, flicking the ball on to teenager Dale Hopson.

But visiting keeper James Bittner was rarely tested by a blunt Darlington team missing both of their only recognised forwards, Liam Hatch and Ryan Bowman.

Midfielder John McReady (back) and left-back Aaron Brown (ankle) were also missing and their absences, combined with the cull initiated by chairman Raj Singh, has left caretaker manager Craig Liddle struggling for bodies.

"I'm disappointed we didn't win, but when the dust settles I'll see the positives," said Liddle. "With the injuries that we've got and the side we had out, without being disrespectful, it was a decent result.

"I can't fault anybody because they all gave their maximum and put a shift in even though we were down to the bare bones, so you can give them credit for that.

"We said that it was essential to keep a clean sheet, and we were just hoping we'd create something or a set-play would go our way, but it was not to be.

"We were bright in the first 30 minutes and looked like the only side that were going to win, but we lost our way towards the end of the first half and I don't think we recovered and didn't look like creating much in the second half."

In truth, Quakers did not create a great deal during a tame first half that was lacking in incident.

A Marc Bridge-Wilkinson free-kick eluded Lee by inches while Hopson buzzed around the opposition half, proving difficult to pick up, though he flashed wide a volley after Lee flicked the ball on.

The 19-year-old, who Liddle admits would he like to give a rest to, has been given a chance lately after several departures which led on Saturday to Scott Harrison becoming the latest debutant.

Liddle again put his faith in youth, favouring the 18-year-old ahead of Sanchez-Munoz, with the youth team centre-back partnering Ian Miller, where he did not look out of place.

Liddle said: "He's another one who, if he continues to learn and develop the way he is, he's got a bright future.

"He looked the part. Some people might have expected Jonny to play, but I knew what Scott was capable of and I'm more aware of his capabilities than I am of Jonny's, so it wasn't really a gamble.

"As with Dale, I knew he wouldn't let anybody down."

There was the occasional lapse from the Middlesbrough-born defender, such as allowing James Rowe's free-kick to bounce in the area, which meant Sam Russell had to make a smart reflex save.

But given that it was his first match at senior level, he showed plenty of promise as a defender, especially considering he was only converted from a striker at the start of the season.

He also demonstrated fine distribution capabilities with a precise cross-field pass into Adam Rundle's feet, something that Liddle says he frequently displays at youth-team level.

Harrison and Miller were kept occupied for the bulk of a second half in which the visitors steadily increased their control, while Darlington toiled without Jamie Chandler's energy. The midfielder was replaced after suffering a shin injury.

Forest Green, tenth in the table, have a fine away record having lost only once away from home and twice came close to a goal that would have given them a fourth successive win on the the road.

Inside five second-half minutes right-back Jared Hodgkiss cut inside and unleashed a lot shot that Michael Uwezu edged on to an upright, and soon after Uwezu unleashed an effort that beat Russell, but also hit the woodwork.

A speculative long-range shot from Adam Rundle came when he collected possession after a quickly-taken Kris Taylor throw, but his effort was wide and that was the closest to goal that a hard-working Quakers came in the second half.

Sanchez-Munoz was sent on in the closing stages - meaning Darlington finished with four centre-backs on the pitch - but the final chance fell to Forest Green, Chris Stokes pulling a shot wide from the edge of the area.

After a largely uneventful contest, a draw was fair and it means Darlington have conceded only once in their last six home league games and are 13th ahead of tomorrow's trip to 20th-placed Kettering.

With Paul Arnison (ankle) and Taylor (hip) playing through injuries and Chandler now rated 50/50, Liddle will need another head count, but at least Hatch will return from suspension.