DARLINGTON are left ruing what might have been while they play for pride, and they keep picking up points.

Yesterday’s 4-2 win over FC United of Manchester means they stay fourth after scoring seven goals during two wins at Easter, their biggest victory so far at Blackwell Meadows continuing their good run of form.

They have lost only once in ten matches, a sequence that would offer confidence going into the play-offs were they not excluded from the end-of-season showdown due to failing to meet the ground criteria.

They have appealed, but there is no hope of overturning the decision – Quakers did not have 500 covered seats by the March 31 deadline, and that’s the end of the matter.

Clearly the management team, players and fans have been badly let down by the board.

Yesterday Richard Cook and Jonathan Jowett carried the can as they stepped down as directors, an announcement made – without an apology for the gaffe – before Quakers’ latest match at Blackwell Meadows.

Cook did more than most to return his hometown club back to the town, an achievement which should not be forgotten.

Manager Martin Gray is believed to be livid about the monumental cockup, but has chosen to keep his counsel on the matter.

He was reluctant to talk about anything other than on-the-field matters yesterday, and there was plenty to be pleased about.

“It’s about pride now. The play-offs were always our target and we’ve just got to maintain that,” said the boss.

“Our job as players and the management team is to continue doing what we can to finish in the play-offs.

“Apart from the bad day at Fylde, our form is probably the best in the league. We usually finish the season strongly and it’s a credit to the players.

“They’re keeping their standards, they’re keeping their focus and they are a credit to themselves, but it’s not hard to motivate players who want to do well.”

The match began in an understandably despondent atmosphere, a sense of futility lingering over proceedings.

It was not long, however, before supporters had their minds taken off rules and regulations and they soon had something to cheer.

United goalkeeper Ryan Schofield saved from Stephen Thompson, and moments later David Ferguson fired home his first goal for the club with a long-range beauty.

The left-back struck the ball sweetly from around 30 yards, giving Scofield no chance to put Darlington 1-0 up after five minutes.

Quakers carried on from where they left off at Alfreton on Saturday, where they won 3-0, an unchanged XI were on top from the off.

Josh Gillies stung Scofield’s palms next, the goalkeeper eventually grabbing the ball at the second attempt, before Darlington doubled the advantage.

A cross by Ferguson was headed back across goal by Dave Syers for Beck to head in for his 2-0 with his 16th goal of their season.

There was little threat from FC United, mid-table opposition who Darlington beat 3-2 in August.

Sam Sheridan hoisted a high ball into Quakers’ penalty area when attempting an audacious long-range effort, and Matthew Wolfenden had a shot saved by Adam Bartlett, the goalkeeper rarely troubled during an excellent first half an hour Darlington.

There were five players involved in the build-up of a fine attacking move merited another goal, ending when Gillies flicked the ball into Ferguson whose shot was blocked, and then Beck hit the post as Quakers continued to dominate.

It was 3-0 when Beck was tripped by Jordan Fagbola inside the penalty area, giving Terry Galbraith the chance to score from the spot for the second time in three days.

His successful penalty put him on 13 goals for the season, and gave Quakers a comfortable lead which they looked in no danger of relinquishing.

Defensive lapses have been a feature of their season, however, so perhaps it was no surprise when FC pulled one back courtesy of Quakers’ ball-watching.

Wolfenden got down United’s right, crossed low and Tom Brown was afforded time to take a touch and then fire home to make it 3-1.

Beck headed onto the roof of the net at the end of an exciting half, the second period less entertaining for the crowd, which made for the third highest gate at Blackwell.

Supporters in the Tin Shed gave their team plenty of backing. Despondent, naturally, they may be but there’s a lot of pride in this team and they were in full voice.

Cartman had a shot saved by Schofield’s feet, though United’s Tom Brown wasted a good chance when Wolfenden headed the ball into his feet, but Brown screwed the ball wide from a good position.

Each team had chances during an even second 45 minutes. Beck got a block in when Tomi Adeloye met a corner floated to the far post by Nathan Low, while Beck had an acrobatic volley blocked when getting on the end of Cartman’s cross, and then Brown headed just wide when meeting Thompson’s delivery.

Bartlett’s best moment saw him push over a drive by Adeloye, who was proving to be a nuisance, but Darlington made sure of the points when Gary Brown made it 4-1.

After a one-two with Cartman following Thompson’s cross, Brown kept his composure to finish coolly, before United pulled one back, a towering header by Adeloye after a right-wing cross to make it 4-2.

Quakers stay fourth yet it’s futile.

The players will miss out on the play-offs through no fault of their own, but it’s a situation they are handling admirably.