DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson yesterday escaped an FA rap following his dismissal at Swansea in November.

Hodgson was sent to the stands by referee Clive Penton for repeated use of foul and abusive language towards the fourth official during the 1-0 defeat at the Vetch Field.

However, the Quakers boss will not face any action after he was cleared by an FA committee in York yesterday.

Hodgson was represented at the hearing by former FA compliance officer Graham Bean, who now runs his own business, Football Factory, which deals with disciplinary procedures.

"We've had to wait a while for the hearing but it's great news," said Hodgson.

"I received some very helpful assistance from Graham Bean, who went through my case.

"Graham has plenty of experience in dealing with these situations and he was able to put forward some very good points.

"The FA listened to what we had to say and they have been excellent with us."

This is the second time Bean has assisted Quakers this season, having defended Joey Hutchinson before an FA panel in December, when a potential four-match ban was reduced to one game after he was reported to the FA for comments made to referee Trevor Kettle in October.

Hodgson was handed a 42-day touchline ban for a similar incident four years ago when he was sent off at Lincoln.

Darlington target Jeff Smith has been recalled by Bolton Wanderers after making just one start on loan at Scunthorpe.

The Middlesbrough-born winger turned down Quakers in January in favour of a move to the Iron.

However, Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce is unhappy that the 23-year-old is not gaining first-team experience at Glanford Park and has decided to take the Teessider back to the Reebok Stadium.

While Hodgson will be monitoring Smith's situation with interest, his immediate plans are to take Sunderland striker Neil Teggart on loan.

The Northern Ireland forward is training with Quakers but no deal can be concluded until Hodgson releases a player.

Hodgson will hold further talks with midfielder Fabian Bossy this week. The Frenchman has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Reynolds Arena and the club has offered to pay Bossy the remainder of his contract, which expires in the summer.

* Yeovil boss Gary Johnson has revealed that Walsall striker Andy Bishop will be joining the Division Three promotion-chasers on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

The 21-year-old forward, who has had loan spells at both Kidderminster and Rochdale this season, will initially join the Glovers for a month.

The loan deal is expected to be completed this morning.

Meanwhile, Lincoln are considering signing promising young defender Jamie McCombe, according to Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Conference side Halifax earlier in the season, has struggled to make an impact at Glanford Park this term and has made just 12 appearances for the Iron.

Elsewhere in Division Three, Cheltenham manager John Ward has told club captain Mark Yates he can go out on loan.

Yates, whose contract runs out in the summer, has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place recently due to stiff competition in midfield.

* Grimsby player-boss Paul Groves has ruled out the return of midfielder Kevin Donovan following his release from Rochdale.

The 32-year-old, who made more than 150 league appearances for the Mariners, had his contract at Spotland cancelled by mutual consent after failing to impress new manager Steve Parkin.

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