WITH four games left to play, it remains anyone's guess whether or not Darlington will be in a League Two play-off spot when the dust has finally settled.

Their hopes were apparently dealt a hammer blow when they lost 3-1 at rock bottom Cambridge United last Saturday, but Northampton's home defeat by Scunthorpe United meant Quakers held on to seventh place with their fate still in their own hands.

But they cannot affored a repeat of their poor showing at the Abbey Stadium when they visit Mansfield Town tomorrow.

The travelling Darlington fans will have no idea what kind of performance to expect from their side against the Stags, for whom former Quakers starlet Adam Rundle was a scorer in their 5-2 defeat at Yeovil Town last Saturday.

Clyde Wijnhard gave David Hodgson's men an early lead at Cambridge, but they allowed the home side back into the game and Iwan Roberts levelled midway through the first half.

Craig Russell then went close when his header was touched on to the post by Us keeper John Ruddy, but Quakers fell behind early in the second half when home skipper Andy Duncan headed home.

Darlington had several chances to salvage at least a point - most notably when substitute Akpo Sodje saw an effort cleared off the line by ex-Quaker Ashley Nicholls - but Cambridge made sure of the three points when John Turner scored seven minutes from time.

Central defender Matt Clarke is suspended for tomorrow's match after picking up ten yellow cards this season, with on-loan Middlesbrough youngster Matthew Bates set to make his debut after training with his new team-mates this week.

Striker Alun Armstrong and skipper Neil Maddison could also return.