DARLINGTON are considering their options after missing out on their first two preferences for the manager’s position in as many days.

They remain without a manager after Tommy Wright yesterday turned them down, preferring instead to stay with Nuneaton Town, and his knockback came a day after Quakers’ pursuit of Alun Armstrong hit the buffers.

Quakers are now into their third week without a manager following Martin Gray’s resignation to take the job at York City.

With coaches Brian Atkinson and Sean Gregan having also left the club, collateral damage caused by Gray’s exit, senior players Phil Turnbull and Gary Brown remain in temporary control.

They oversaw training again last night and, as Darlington say an appointment is now not expected until at least Friday, Turnbull and Brown are again likely to be in charge on Saturday at Blackwell Meadows when Bradford Park Avenue visit.

A Quakers statement read: “There has been a considerable amount of speculation in the media and on social media over the last 48 hours about a new managerial appointment.

“Please note that the club does not expect to make any formal announcement until at least Friday when chief executive officer David Johnston returns to this country from a business trip which was arranged some time ago.

“The board appreciates the huge amount of interest from fans in this appointment, and is sure that everyone understands the need for patience.”

Wright’s refusal to speak to Quakers is another blow for the club, who were rebuffed in their attempt to make Blyth Spartans’ Armstrong their manager.

On Monday Spartans announced Armstrong would stay at Croft Park, saying in a statement they “had been contacted by a local club”.

Darlington approached Nuneaton on Monday evening and Wright did consider the opportunity to take charge at a club where he had two spells as a player.

But his club yesterday announced that Wright had decided against returning to the North-East.

Their statement read: “An approach was made to the chairman at 8pm on 16/10/2017 asking for permission to speak to Tommy about the vacant manager’s position.

“The release compensation figures contained within the manager's contract were revealed to Darlington and they fully understood that this was a condition of permission prior to any contact.

“We as a club are delighted that Tommy has shown his commitment to the club by opting against entering in to any discussions with Darlington FC, without hesitation.”

Wright played for Darlington in 2007-08 and 2010-11, winning the FA Trophy at Wembley in his final appearance for the club – his last touch was a header prior to Chris Senior to scoring the winning goal.

Nuneaton chairman added in the statement, Lee Thorn said: “Tommy is more than a first-team manager, he is the glue that holds this club together.

“As a club we can see why Tommy was a name they were interested in, but we are delighted that he has opted against talking to them regarding the role.

“He is our manager and is part of something exciting that we are building here at Nuneaton. The club has some talented players and Tommy can see the potential.

“He has backed the club with his commitment and it would be brilliant if the town could back him – starting on Saturday at home to Stockport County.”

Though aged 33, Wright is now into his second job as a manager having previously been in charge at Corby Town, a club he guided to promotion.

On Saturday Nuneaton, who operate as a full-time club, defeated Darlington 2-1.

In the programme for the match he declared Darlington as his “second home”, adding: “It is a place that will always have a special place in my heart.”

Whitby Town manager Chris Hardy remains the choice of many Darlington supporters, while former Darlington captain Kevan Smith is understood to have been interviewed.

He made 440 appearances for the club, winning promotion three times, and is thought to be interested in replacing Gray having lined up fellow former team-mate Andy Toman to be assistant manager.

Former Darlington defender David McGurk was also in the frame but it is understood he has chosen to stay at Hyde United where he is a coach.