IT promises to be one of the most intriguing relegation battles in years.

While it only seems a matter of time before runaway leaders Hartlepool seal their place in Division Two, along with high-flying Rushden, it's the situation at the other end of the table which is proving to be far more compelling.

Unfortunately for the Quakers' faithful, Darlington have found themselves sucked into the battle that will see two teams from the bottom eight playing in the Conference next season.

Leyton Orient and Rochdale appear to be safe, which means any team from Darlington downwards are in real trouble.

Even at this late stage of the season there is still no club which is a clear contender for the drop.

Seventeenth place Quakers are by no means out of the woods with just four points separating them from Exeter and Swansea, who currently occupy the bottom two relegation places.

Indeed four of their remaining eight games are against teams below them including trips to Macclesfield and Bristol Rovers, as well as today's visit to Division Three's form team Scunthorpe, who are unbeaten in seven and third in the table.

In comparison Quakers lie fourth bottom on current form with just one win in their last 12.

An alarming statistic in itself made all the more damning by the fact that none of the teams below them in the form table are teams that are currently below them in the league table.

The basic fact is Darlington must get back to winning ways - and soon.

Read more about the Quakers here.