Darlington caretaker manager Mick Tait is facing up to a run of three successive away games which could make or break his aspirations to do the job on a permanent basis.

Quakers did well enough in last Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Lincoln City to keep his hopes alive, but in the coming weeks Tait will do well to maintain his unbeaten record since taking over from Tommy Taylor three games ago.

He takes his side to promotion-chasing Rushden and Diamonds tomorrow, then has a trip to Wrexham in the FA Cup first round next Saturday and a visit to Shrewsbury Town the following week.

Tait kept faith with his youthful midfield for the visit of the Imps, with the only change seeing Neil Wainwright replace the injured Paul Campbell.

Clark Keltie and Ashley Nicholls again did enough to suggest Neil Maddison and Mark Ford may have to wait a while longer to get back in the team, but Quakers were unable to take any of their chances as Lincoln escaped with a point.

The best chances fell to Wainwright, who saw his shot blocked after rounding keeper Alan Marriott, and Barry Conlon, whose header was cleared off the line by a defender.

The visitors rarely threatened as an attacking force, but were able to disrupt the passing game which Quakers have been trying to cultivate.

The true test of Tait's managerial qualities will now come as Darlington try to build on the progress they have made since Taylor's departure.