Darlington FC boss Gary Bennett resigned as manager last night saying he was "sacrificing" his position for the good of the club.

Chairman George Reynolds is wasting no time in his search for a successor, with ex-Leyton Orient manager Tommy Turner being interviewed today for the post.

Former Sunderland defender Bennett, who had made a reasonable start to the season, will stay at the club as chief coach, his role before taking over from David Hodgson last summer.

Quakers' fans have seen Darlington slide down to the play-off fringes.

In the face of mounting criticism, the 39-year-old announced his unexpected decision to vacate the Feethams hot seat yesterday.

He told The Northern Echo that the Quakers' run of five matches without a win had convinced him to quit.

"I thought it would better if I sacrificed my position now," he said. "The club comes first, not Gary Bennett."

Although assistant manager Mick Tait is installed as caretaker-manager, Bennett's successor could be in place in time for Saturday's match at home to Hull City.

Reynolds said: "I have a meeting with Tommy Taylor who, along with his wife, is driving up to Darlington to have talks with me about the manager's job."

And while Reynolds conceded that Taylor was among the top contenders for the post, he said there had been substantial interest in the job.

Bennett denied suggestions that the chairman had asked him to step down.