There was a chink of light at the end of the Reynolds Arena tunnel at the weekend.

David Hodgson's homecoming was never going to be about bringing back the kind of football which endeared the new Quakers boss to the Feethams faithful last time around.

First and foremost this was about a result, achieving it by any means and bringing to an end a woeful run of six straight League defeats.

Mission accomplished.

And had referee Lee Mason allowed an extra few minutes, Hodgson may well have been celebrating his first home game back at the helm with a victory rather than a goalless draw - Quakers' first clean sheet in their last eight attempts.

"The performance from the players was as much as we could ask from them," said Hodgson.

"For me that has given me a platform to work on.

"The commitment was there. There's no question about that.

"When they had the opportunity to pass and move they proved that when they play that kind of football it is very difficult for the opposition. Overall I'm pretty certain I got an improved performance from last week!"

Hodgson made six changes from the side sent crashing out of the FA Cup at Hornchurch six days earlier, which included debuts for on-loan duo Ross Turnbull and Craig James.

And with a difficult trip to promotion-chasing Swansea next, Hodgson will this week step up his efforts to make at least one more addition - with a striker at the top of his list.

Once again on Saturday, for all their neat build-up play, Quakers lacked a cutting edge.

Even with Barry Conlon twisting and turning to create openings, the big Irishman needs a regular partner to work alongside. Given the fact last season's top scorer has had no fewer than five strike partners already this season, it's perhaps no surprise that Quakers have struggled to find any kind of fluency in front of goal.

On Saturday, Neil Wainwright was the latest player to be handed the responsibility.

"That little bit of extra quality in front of goal just wasn't quite there," admitted Hodgson.

"At the end of the day that's where we've broken down."

Reports in the south west over the weekend were linking Quakers with a move for Plymouth striker Nathan Lowndes.

However, Hodgson has already stated that, under the club's financial restraints, any new arrivals are likely to come from another North-East club.

"Everybody knows that there's not a penny to spend," said Hodgson. "We have to consider all aspects before we go for a player and financially it would make more sense for us to go for a player from the North-East with regards to issues like accommodation."

Hodgson could have few complaints with the players he has managed to bring in.

Although rarely called upon - mainly thanks to a solid back-three - Middlesbrough keeper Turnbull impressed when called upon, while Sunderland youngster James enjoyed a lively debut as left-wing back.

It was a strong run from James which almost brought a goal for his new side when his cross eventually fell for Conlon inside the box but the Dubliner fired over.

A broken finger to skipper Neil Maddison temporarily reduced Quakers to ten men. But even with the numerical advantage, the Imps failed to find a way past the impressive Joey Hutchinson.

Former Boro defender Liburd, now revelling in a midfield role for Lincoln, came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors when he blazed over following a mazy run. Turnbull then produced the save of the game when he denied Imps striker Gary Fletcher with a superb one-handed tip over the bar minutes into the second half.

And the England Under-20 stopper had to be alert moments later when he held on to Simon Yeo's low drive, before getting down well to deny Francis Green.

But after one appearance, Turnbull's loan spell has been brought to a premature end following his call-up for the forthcoming World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates. He flies out at the end of this week and now Hodgson must decide if Michael Price gets another chance. Quakers' best chance of the game came with a quarter-of-an-hour to go.

From the right, Wainwright picked out James on the opposite flank with a superb pass and after taking the ball towards the box, James threaded through for Conlon, who directed his effort straight at Alan Marriott.

Conlon was unlucky not to grab a late winner as Quakers rallied late on when he headed over Wainwright's cross.

Result: Darlington 0 Lincoln City 0.

Read more about the Quakers here.