Darlington manager David Hodgson stepped up his search for a new striker this week ahead of tomorrow's home game against Scunthorpe United.

His need for someone to put the ball in the back of the net has become increasingly urgent after last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Swansea City, but his efforts had not yet borne fruit as we went to press yesterday.

An attempt to sign Middlesbrough youngster Jamie Cade failed to come off, with Colchester United able to offer him better terms.

Now three games into his latest reign at the club, Hodgson is still waiting to see his charges score their first goal for him.

He pinpointed Swans striker Lee Trundle, scorer of the winning goal with an overhead kick four minutes before half-time, as the major difference between the sides at the Vetch Field. Trundle would have notched at least a hat-trick without the efforts of keeper Michael Price, who was the only change to the team which had battled for an encouraging 0-0 draw with Lincoln in the previous match.

Darlington initially slipped below the standards set by their performance against the Imps, but improved in the second half and went close through Barry Conlon and Ashley Nicholls.

But they could not make a breakthrough and Hodgson, frustrated by some refereeing decisions, was dismissed from the dugout after an altercation with the fourth official.

The defeat pushed Quakers, who have now gone 11 games without a win, back into the bottom two. They face another tough game tomorrow, against a side which hammered Cambridge United 4-0 last Saturday in their quest for a promotion play-off place.

Clark Keltie is likely to be rested after he suffered cuts and bruises in a car crash on Tuesday evening.

One talking point this week was the appearance of former England international Carlton Palmer for the reserves in a 3-2 defeat against Hartlepool on Wednesday, but the 37-year-old has not yet signed a deal with the Quakers.