Darlington enter administration

League Two play-off hopefuls Darlington have entered administration and will be deducted 10 points by the Football League.

The Quakers currently lie in seventh place, the final play-off spot, and will drop to 11th with the points deduction.

The move has been blamed on continued low attendances at their 27,500-capacity stadium - just 2,858 supporters turned out to watch last night's 2-1 defeat by Rochdale.

In a statement on the club's official website, www.darlington-fc.net, outgoing chairman George Houghton said: "This is a sad day in the history of Darlington Football Club but was a result of a combination of circumstances compounded by the current economic recession.

"I have put millions of pounds into this football club and it is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision."

Dave Clark, of administrator Brackenbury Clark & Co, added: "It is clear the club will suffer an immediate 10-point deduction. However, I am confident the club will not suffer any further points deduction once a purchaser has been found.

"If the club can maintain its current performance a place in the play-offs is still achievable taking into account the games in hand we have over our closest rivals."

The Quakers were previously placed into administration in 2003.