DARLINGTON skipper Craig Liddle is tipping defensive partner Joey Hutchinson for greater things after playing his part in establishing one of the best defences in League Two.

Liddle believes it will only be a matter of time before Hutchinson's performances attract interest from other clubs after his impressive start to the new campaign.

Just 13 months after swapping the Premiership for League Two, the Teessider has formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the defence alongside Liddle.

Hutchinson returned to the North-East after failing to force his way into Steve Bruce's first-team plans at Birmingham City, making just seven appearances at St Andrews.

But Birmingham's loss was Darlington's gain as the 22-year-old soon established himself as one of the division's best defenders.

And Liddle, who enjoyed a brief taste of Premiership action with Middlesbrough seven years ago, believes Hutchinson has all the qualities to work his way back up the football ladder.

"If he continues to play like he has been then I think it is inevitable that he will play at a higher level," said Liddle.

"He's got everything a player needs to be a top class centre-half and I'm sure he will go on to bigger and better things."

Last season, Swindon Town made an enquiry for Hutchinson, who was brought to the club as a replacement for Stuart Whitehead.

And Liddle believes Swindon won't be the only club keeping tabs on his team-mate.

"I would be very surprised if teams weren't watching him now because he has been outstanding in the seven games he has played this season," said Liddle.

"He has managed to cut out the little mistakes he made last year and I think you can see how much his game has came on since then."

Hutchinson marked his 50th appearance for the club in Saturday's goalless draw with Scunthorpe - Quakers' third clean sheet of the season. Only sixth-placed Oxford have a better defensive record than Quakers.

Liddle added: "We have played reasonably well to keep clean sheets and we showed against Scunthorpe that we can cope with the best. "We only limited them to one or two chances so long may that continue."

While one of League Two's meanest defences continues to take the plaudits, Saturday's draw again highlighted Quakers' well-documented problems in front of goal.

But despite the failure to score for the fourth game this season Liddle is confident that their fortunes will eventually take a change for the better.

"It was a decent performance but it would have been nice to come away with three points," he said.

"They were probably the better team but yet again we created enough chances to even win it.

"I think the lads just need that bit of luck in front of goal at the moment. Once we get that little break I think they can go on to do well.

"We know that we can do better and it is disappointing when we look at the points we could have had this season."

However, Liddle has leapt to the defence of strikers Matt Clarke and Craig Russell, who have taken the brunt of criticism from fans.

"I think it's unfair to point the finger at individuals and we must take criticism as a team," said club stalwart Liddle.

"Matt and Russ have both taken a bit of stick which is unfortunate when you look at the amount of work they put into games.

"The gaffer is doing everything he can to put things straight but it is difficult under the circumstances we are in."

Quakers travel to Rochdale on Saturday seeking their first away win of the season.

And while Liddle is aware of the threat Dale pose in attack, the defender believes Quakers have every chance of extending their unbeaten run to four games.

In the same fixture last season, Dale put four goals past Quakers in a 4-2 win at Spotland, but Liddle said: "Rochdale have some decent strikers and I'm sure they will make it very tough.

"But we know that we're capable of matching anyone in this league and getting a result and this one will be no different."

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