Darlington return to training today aware they can afford no more slip ups if they are to keep alive their faint hopes of survival.

The gap to Conference safety stretched to 11 points on Tuesday thanks to Newport County's shock 2-1 win over York City.

The Minstermen's first away league defeat since September condemned bottom-of-the-table Bath to relegation and Quakers could suffer the same fate this weekend if results go against them.

The first of their final six matches is at home to Grimsby Town on Saturday, which is swiftly followed by Easter Monday's visit to Lincoln City who are also involved in the battle against the drop, but lie four places and four points ahead of the drop zone.

The Mariners have not given hope of reaching the play-offs and in their side on Saturday will be former Darlington defender Ian Miller.

Quakers have not won since the former skipper left The Northern Echo Arena in December - 15 games ago - and he said ahead of his first return to thd club: "It'll be nice to return to the place and see a few familiar faces.

"I've kept an eye on the situation at Darlington and I'm surprised they haven't won a few more games.

"I'm enjoying playing football again and we've not given up on the play-offs, we'll keep going until it's mathematically impossible."

Grimsby are six points behind the play-offs, so victory on Saturday is crucial and it is a similar approach for Craig Liddle's Darlington who are third bottom.

But the manager has absolved his players of any blame for the predicament that they find themselves in.

"The players in the dressing room, this isn't their fault. They have been put into a situation that they should never have been in," said Liddle.

"If we hadn't had the ten points taken off (for entering administration) we'd never have been in a relegation fight, but you can't blame any of the players in that dressing room because they give me everything they've got every time they step on to that pitch and in training.

"We'll pick them up in training and try and get something against Grimsby which is going to be another difficult game."

Meanwhile, Liddle returns to action this evening when he plays for a Darlington supporters team in a fundraising match.

He will turn out for Uncovered FC who will also be bolstered by fellow former favourites Neil Maddison and Alan White at Darlington RA's Brinkburn Road ground.

The opposition is Darlington-based pensions administrator RPMI and all proceeds will go to Darlington 1883, the fans' company hoping to save the club.

Kick-off is 6pm, gates open at 5.30 and the bar will be open. Admission is £2 per adult and £1 for children.

There will also a raffle to win a share in Darlington, as well as a Quakers shirt signed by Liddle, a signed Fulham shirt worn by Aaron Hughes and also a Middlesbrough shirt worn by defender David Wheater.