AS high as 15th or as low as 18th, that is where Darlington will finish their sorry season which concludes on Saturday.

They complete their 42-game programme against Leamington, who are just out of reach in 14th place, four points ahead of Quakers who will finish in their lowest position since their new era began in 2012.

How far below last year’s 12th place and 55-point total they end up depends on Saturday’s result at Blackwell Meadows, which is where they also started the campaign, losing to Curzon Ashton.

It proved to be an indication of what was to come at Blackwell where results have been in keeping with the generally disappointing theme of a campaign that started with promotion hopes and will end in mid-table obscurity.

Last year they won nine and lost seven of their 21 league matches on home soil, scoring 37 times. This time around they have won seven and lost eight, scoring 24 goals.

However, they have won their most recent two fixtures at Blackwell, keeping a clean sheet each time.

Darlington were threatening to add a final flourish to their campaign when they won three games in a row, but morale dipped when then lost 1-0 on Easter Monday at Guiseley.

“It has been a disappointment, there is no hiding that,” admitted manager Tommy Wright. “Whether we had won the last five games wouldn’t mean anything, we’re playing for places in the league table.

“We haven’t got promoted which was the first aim, expectations changed during the season and we avoided relegation, but we can’t call it a success, we’re a million miles away from that now.”

With contracts expiring and a handful of loan players supplementing the squad, tomorrow’s game will be the last time supporters see some of the team representing Quakers.

Wright added: “We’ve got a 20-man squad and six are on loan. There’s a few contracts up for renewal, but Luke Trotman committed himself last week so that’s a positive.

“We need to have sit down meetings once the season is out of the way.”

Stephen Thompson and Terry Galbraith, Darlington’s longest-serving players, remain under contract for next season.

Thompson will play his 301st game for the club having reached the triple century landmark against Guiseley.

“He has been a stalwart to this club,” said Wright. “When I played for this club I was immensely proud to so, and what he has achieved in reaching the landmark is a credit to him.

“He will go on and be the top goalscorer for the club ever and I think his service has been there for everyone to see.

“I’m delighted for him because he’s a great lad. He has bought into me from day one and I’d like to think I can manage him for the foreseeable future.”