Darlington winger Richard Hodgson has called on the club's fans to help them overcome their recent slump.

Quakers, who host second-placed Rushden tomorrow, have won just once in 2003, culminating in Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat at bottom-club Swansea.

"If the fans can get behind us it will do us the world of good," said Hodgson.

"In games where we haven't started as well at home the fans have got on our back even when we're not getting beat. That kind of thing gets to the players."

Hodgson is sympathetic towards the fans, but believes it's important that they stand by the team.

"You can understand their frustration when the team's not playing well, but they really need to get behind us even when things aren't going our way," said Hodgson.

"An early goal is always good to settle the nerves and if we can do that then hopefully the crowd will help us. It's always harder to relax and play your own game when the crowd's getting on your back."

"In a lot of games we've played with more confidence away from home." It was against Rushden that caretaker boss Mick Tait suffered his first defeat.

"Down there it was 2-0 but it should never been," said Hodgson.

"We'll be going into this game confident we can get something out of it."

Tait, meanwhile, has been rocked by the news that striker Glenn Naylor has suffered a setback in his bid to overcome a knee injury. Naylor, who last appeared as a second half substitute in the goalless draw with Lincoln in November, faces a further spell on the sidelines after further checks on the injury yesterday.

"We could be looking at 3-4 weeks with Glenn, which is a bit of a blow," said Tait, who also revealed that midfielder Neil Maddison, who limped out of the defeat at Torquay with a thigh injury, is "touch and go" for tomorrow's clash. There is more encouraging news for Danny Mellanby, whose season has so far been hampered by a niggling back injury.

"Danny's doing well and I'll be looking to get some match practice for him next week, even if it means playing with the younger lads," said Tait.

Quakers' home clash with Cambridge has been rearranged for March 11, kick-off 7.30pm.

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