Darlington were still bearing gifts as their disastrous Christmas continued with their third consecutive defeat yesterday.

Ten days ago Darlington were as high as fifth, but instead of consolidating their place in the play-off zone three defeats have pushed them back into mid-table.

After starting the festive season with one of the division's best defensive records, Quakers have conceded ten goals in three games.

Not even a change in formation could save David Hodgson's men from recording a third successive league defeat for the first time since last Christmas.

Following the 3-0 home defeat to Rochdale on Sunday, Hodgson admitted he should have used a 4-4-2 formation instead of 3-5-2.

Yesterday he switched to a flat back four and, although the scoreline was a little harsh on the visitors, it's clear Hodgson still has some tinkering to do.

Shrewsbury did not score any great goals, but at times they made it look easy as even the normally reliable Sam Russell played a part in Darlington's downfall. He was at fault for the first two strikes.

Brian Close moved to right-back and Joe Kendrick came in at left-back while Ian Clark, Clark Keltie and Neil Wainwright all paid the price for Sunday's defeat by dropping to the bench.

Neil Maddison and Adolfo Gregorio started against a Shrewsbury side who made five changes after recording only two wins in their last 14 matches.

Shrewsbury were without injured dangerman Luke Rodgers, but replacement John Grant could have put them ahead after only four minutes. He raced away from Darlington's defence and fired hard and low from 20 yards, but Russell saved.

If Hodgson had other central defensive options Matt Clarke may not have kept his place, and for the second time in the first 15 minutes he caused Darlington to panic.

First he nicked the ball away from the feet of his own goalkeeper then miscued a clearance straight to the opposition. But from the resulting cross Langmead headed wide.

Both sides were coming unstuck on a soft and slippery pitch. Even in the warm-up Gregorio and Clyde Wijnhard both lost their footing more than once.

Darlington looked impressive early on with Wijnhard, Gregorio and Alun Armstrong combining well. But their first effort at goal did not come until the 30th minute, when Adrian Webster cracked an impressive left-footed volley from the edge of the box that was tipped over the bar for a corner.

Then followed a frantic ten minute spell in which the hosts took a 3-0 lead, despite haing only marginally the better of play.

Darlington paid the price for poor defending.

From an in-swinging Kendrick corner, collected at the second attempt by the keeper, Shrews launched a counter-attack.

Neil Ashton delivered a high, hanging cross, which Russell came for and failed to collect. The ball dropped to Aiston, who netted.

The lead was soon doubled and again Russell was at fault.

Near the corner of the penalty area Close conceded a free-kick, taken by Jamie Tolley, which was delivered without much power.

But it flew straight into the net with Russell's view perhaps obstructed by former Darlington defender Stuart Whitehead.

Darlington were playing some tidy football but had only a scuffed Armstrong effort to show for their work, and just before the break Tolley scored his second.

He dribbled unchallenged through the middle of the defence, into the area, and cracked a low shot in off the far post. It was the first time the second-worst team in English football had scored so many in a league game this season.

Half-time saw Craig Russell replace calf injury victim Armstrong, but Shrewsbury spent the second 45 minutes with men behind the ball, making it difficult for Darlington to make any headway.

Gregorio did manage to bring a good save out of the keeper from 20 yards.

Darlington continued to pass the ball around well. But, as at Boston when Quakers were also 3-0 down at half-time ten days ago, they found it hard to penetrate a packed defence, playing lots of passes without an end-product.

Quakers did get the ball in the net on 80 minutes via Craig Hignett's head following a Craig Russell overhead kick, but Wijnhard had committed a handball.

But, with Darlington pushing forward, a fourth goal looked likely. Sam Russell snatched the ball off Langmead's feet as he was about to shoot, then Ryan Lowe saw a volley from the edge of the box cleared off the line by Gregorio.

But the fourth arrived in injury time when David Edwards cut in from the right and lashed a left-foot shot past Russell.

The performance against Rochdale was poor and yesterday's just as bad, which leaves Hodgson with plenty to mull over.

With a visit to leaders Scunthorpe to come on Saturday, Darlington need to rediscover some form if they are to prevent what had been a promising season coming completely off the rails.

* Yeovil closed the gap on leaders Scunthorpe after coming from 2-0 down to beat Cambridge 5-3.

Richard Hodgson and Amadou Konte had fired the Us ahead but Glovers striker Phil Jevons inspired a comeback, scoring the first of two penalties after 55 minutes. Darren Way levelled a minute later and Lee Johnson put Yeovil ahead after 67 minutes. Another Jevons penalty made it 4-2 and after Jermaine Easter scored a third for United, Andrejs Stolcers put the game beyond the home side.

Result: Shrewsbury Town 4 Darlington 0.

Read more about the Quakers here.