Darlington Director of Football Luke Raine last night revealed that the club is to reconsider its controversial ban on unaccompanied under 18s in the Tin Shed.

Chairman George Reynolds had ruled that following the protest on Saturday by a group of supporters following the defeat by Chester-field, unaccompanied juniors would not be allowed to watch the game in their traditional place behind the goal.

But at a well-attended meeting of supporters in Newton Aycliffe last night Raine said he will talk to Reynolds to discuss the move, which has angered many fans.

He vowed: "I am going to speak to the chairman to see if we can do it another way."

The move was warmly greeted by the fans, but they will still have at least a fortnight's wait because Quakers' next home game isn't until February 6.

Raine also admitted that Quakers season has been "a waste" and that mistakes had been made. "We've done things wrong and haven't been fair to the supporters this season. For that we apologise because we have let them down on the playing side.

"The manager, Gary Bennett, has been hamstrung so far. We tried to bluster our way through the season and we have let the fans down because of our inexperience.

"We must go back to basics and get things right."

Raine revealed the Quakers are now prepared to spend £300,000 - including wages - to bring in four experienced players for the rest of the season.

"We know that we need to strengthen certain areas. We have lost a lot of experienced players and we have a lot of young players who are good but aren't ready yet. We need four good experienced players to bring them through."

Manager Gary Bennett yesterday denied claims that he had quit and insisted: "I won't walk away from this club."

Darlington-based radio station Alpha broadcast that Bennett had resigned after five months in the manager's seat, but he worked as normal and attended the forum last night in Newton Aycliffe.

"I have never walked away from anything in my life," he said.

"I know we could all do with better results -- there's no need to tell me that - but I've got to plough on with what I've got.

"The chairman is 100 per cent behind me, and until he says otherwise, then I'm staying."

Bennett, meanwhile, could include some trialists in the reserve game at home to Blackpool tonight. Central defender Dean Walling is almost certain to play.