Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds walked out of Saturday's game because he feared for his family's safety, it was revealed last night.

The Quakers' owner left his seat in the director's box midway through the second half after being taunted by his own supporters.

As he left Feethams, he told a nearby fan: "We'll sort this out on Monday."

Darlington lost the game 3-0 and now lie 19th in Division Three, only nine points away from the bottom team, Carlisle, who have two games in hand.

After the match, Darlington public relations director and newly-titled director of football, Luke Raine, said: "The chairman didn't speak to me, but I assume that he was thinking of the safety of his wife and mother in law."

"He's definitely not walking away from the club, he just thought discretion was the better part of valour."