With only six matches to play Darlington's horrific season will be over in just over three weeks - and Craig Liddle cannot wait.

Supporters, players and all connected to the club have endured a traumatic campaign that has seen Quakers battle against administration for a third time in a decade as well as relegation.

He concedes that it 'looks inevitable' that the team loses the fight against latter. They must overhaul an 11-point deficit with only 18 to play for, starting with a win at home to Grimsby Town tomorrow.

The club's interim manager has been working long hours while dealing with pressure of being the club's figurehead during their problems, and he freely admits to needing a break.

He said: "I was just thinking this morning what an horrendous few months it's been. It started in November when the players weren't paid so I've had a lot on my shoulders for a long time now.

"The season has been horrific, couldn't have been worse and I don't think I'll experience anything like this again.

"I've said I won't give up the fight, but to be perfectly honest I can't wait for the season to end, I can't wait for April 28.

"This has been my third administration, but this one has far outweighed the other two.

"The previous times we managed to hang on to the players and they were paid in full with the help of the PFA - they paid a percentage and the club paid a percentage - this time it's just been an absolute mess.

"With us not having the protection of being in the Football League, the PFA help has gone out of the window.

"I fail to see what else we could've done as a group. Everything seems to have transpired against us and I don't think there's been one thing since December, going back to the Gateshead match when we lost to the last kick of the game, that has gone in our favour."

The season comes to a conclusion on April 28 at The Northern Echo Arena against Kettering Town, another club currently in the drop zone.

Liddle added: "I need to get away. My wife keeps saying to me that she can't wait to get her husband back and the kids want their dad back.

"So come April 28 I'll have to spend some time with my family and look at my own future to see what's going to be.

"It looks inevitable what's going to happen (relegation) and it'll be a sad day for everybody involved. That's not me giving up, it's just been one horrendous long slog for the last few months."

Not winning in 15 matches and a ten-point deduction for falling into administration has seen Darlington tumble down the table, while the upturn in form of their relegation rivals has also had a factor in the slide towards the Conference North.

Newport's surprise win over play-off chasing York City on Tuesday typified the run that some of the teams in the lower reaches, aside from Quakers, are enjoying.

Last Saturday, when Darlington drew at AFC Telford, four of the six teams immediately above Quakers took three points.

Liddle added: "We went there to win the game, you take out the errors and we should've won. We didn't win, but at least it was an away point.

"Then you come off the pitch and see the other results, and then the result on Tuesday night, and you start to wonder if it's meant to be.

"To be honest I could believe it. I watched York play on television against Luton last Friday and they were excellent, so the way things have been going for us I knew they'd have an off day against Newport and so it proved.

"When you're down there you expect them sort of things to happen.

"We've had an horrendous run, nobody is more aware of that than me. Nothing seems to have gone in our favour and nearly every team at the bottom seems to be having a good run which we can't seem to do.

"It's looking inevitable that it's going to happen, but until it's mathematically certain we'll keep doing all we can."

Paul Arnison (calf) will not play tomorrow and a decision on the conditions of Kris Taylor and Ryan Bowman will be made this afternoon.