DARLINGTON were left furious yesterday when Barry Conlon had his suspension upheld, meaning his four game ban starts tomorrow.

The Quakers had appealed against the red cards Mark Ford and striker Conlon received at Scunthorpe two week ago, and earlier this week a three-man FA panel watched television replays before informing Ford his suspension was upheld and he wouldn't be granted a hearing.

But because Conlon was invited to a personal hearing, Quakers were hopeful the striker would escape with a warning - instead, he'll miss four matches beginning at Altrincham.

Conlon and assistant manager Mick Tait made the fruitless trip to the hearing in Daventry, Northamptonshire, where referee Paul Alcock and an assistant linesman were also in attendance.

PR Director Luke Raine explained: "The referee had his say and the linemsan gave his opinion. How can he judge when he's across the other side of the pitch?

"It's been a completely pointless exercise. It's cost us £600 for the two appeals and until they get some people in charge of the game who know what they're talking about, football at our level will die.

"Alan Shearer was dealt with within a day, and they take nearly two weeks to deal with us and that's the decision they give - we're now without a quality player for four weeks.

"They've dragged two people down there for the day, they've had to miss training, and for what reason? Why couldn't they do the same as they did with Ford?

"It's been a shambles."

Meanwhile the Quakers have laughed off a tabloid report which claimed Paul Gascoigne was going to join the club next summer.

The former Newcastle and Middlesbrough midfielder has yet to sign an extension to his contract which expires at the end of the season, but the story claimed Darlington chairman George Reynolds was ready to pay Gascoigne £2m for a 12 month deal.

Read more about the Quakers here.