Penney frustration as Quakers dip

Hatch was stretchered off for the second time this season

Darlington manager Dave Penney was left frustrated after his side's promotion push stuttered with Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Rochdale in League Two.

The Quakers remain in the play-off places despite the loss but Penney was left to rue his side's profligacy.

"We set ourselves up for this, we knew it would be tough," he told BBC Tees.

"They proved that, we weren't at the races, we didn't get going, we had no real tempo during the game and huffed and puffed without any real quality."

The match threatened to be overshadowed by another worrying moment for the Quakers' on-loan striker Liam Hatch, who was stretchered off injured during the match.

And Penney admitted although the knock was less serious than the one which the Peterborough forward picked up earlier in the season at Droylsden, he is unsure of the full extent to the injury.

"He wasn't delayed as long as he was there, it was only nine minutes this time," he said.

"We're not quite sure, he's very sore at the moment, the doctor is having a look at him and he'll let us know how he is.

"It's a blow, as is Ricky Ravenhill missing three games for his red card, so it looks like they're missing for Saturday."