MARK PROCTOR has delivered a frank assessment of Darlington's fading play-off hopes by admitting any further ground lost on the top seven would consign Quakers to another season in League Two.

Three straight defeats have thrown promotion plans into disarray - a six-point deficit now separates Quakers from seventh-placed Lincoln City.

With the freezing weather threatening today's game at Rochdale - a pitch inspection is scheduled for this morning - that gap could be nine points tonight.

Given their current predicament, Proctor feels it is crucial today's game gets the nod.

"We've just prepared for the game as normal and hopefully it will get the go-ahead," said the Quakers assistant manager.

"If it wasn't played and the teams above us won, psychologically it would be a big blow to us.

"If we fall any further adrift I don't think it would be something we'd be able to bridge.

"It's important the game's on and we get something from it."

Quakers went on to reach the Third Division play-off final the last time they won at Rochdale in January 1996. They have failed to win on their last nine visits since.

"On any other Saturday a point at Rochdale would be a good result, but with the predicament we're in we need three points," said Proctor.

"All we can do is remain positive. There are still 33 points to play for."

It was on Quakers' last visit to Lancashire in December that a 3-0 win at Stockport sparked a run of just one defeat in 12 - lifting them from 15th to sixth in the table. That game at Stockport set us off on a bit of a roll and hopefully we can start something at Rochdale on Saturday," said Proctor.

"I know it's a tall order, but ideally we could do with another unbeaten run between now and the end of the season."

With no fewer than nine strikers used this season, Proctor is in no doubt where the crux of Quakers' problems lie.

He said: "Our biggest concern is that we've had so much change with our forwards.

"This is the area that wins you games, but we've had to deal with players coming and going.

"There hasn't been any particular continuity and I think that's caused a bit of a problem."

Andy Cooke is Quakers' latest first-choice striker, although the on-loan Bradford City man has yet to taste victory in three appearances.

"Andy has brought in some experience and know-how, but unfortunately his arrival has coincided with our downturn in results," said Proctor.

"I don't think it's a reflection on him and hopefully he will be on the winning side at Rochdale."

Akpo Sodje and Guy Bates will compete for a place alongside Cooke this afternoon. Bates received the nod at Leyton Orient last week and could keep his place.

Skipper Matt Clarke will miss only his third game of the season after failing to recover from a groin problem. Robbie Stockdale will be drafted in to play alongside Shelton Martis, while Joe Kendrick returns at left-back after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Quakers are also without the suspended Matty Appleby following his sending off at Orient. Simon Johnson is available after recovering from a thigh problem.

Dale have had problems of their own to contend with following top scorer Grant Holt's £300,000 move to Nottingham Forest in January. Since his departure Steve Parkin's side have recorded just one victory in 2006.

"Rochdale have been quite similar to us since they sold Holt," said Proctor. "He is the kind of player who is the difference between drawing games and winning games.

"Since he left it has highlighted Rochdale's deficiencies in that area.

"They've gone from one of the main players in the division to an average side."

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