Three days after suffering their worst defeat of the season at Kendal Town, Darlington this evening have an opportunity to make amends by returning to the top of the table.

Manager Martin Gray admits the nature of the weekend’s aberration hurt him after seeing his team, usually tough to beat, concede three goals inside the first 15 minutes - and all were due to defensive lapses.

Jordan Connerton’s hat-trick effectively sealed the outcome, and although Quakers fought back they were unable to overturn the three-goal deficit, eventually losing 4-2. Tonight they play at Farsley and three points would see them leapfrog Salford City.

“I’ve had time to reflect on the performance, but I’m still hurting,” said Gray. “I take defeat badly, I take it worse than anyone because what happens on that pitch is down to me and I take it personally when we lose.

“We had a horrendous start and it was out of character for us. Decisions were made on and off the pitch that were wrong and we’ve all got to be accountable.”

Gray hauled off Gary Brown after only 16 minutes on Saturday, and he is expected to move his captain from the centre of defence to right-back this evening with Chris Hunter returning to the starting line-up.

The manager refuted suggestions he had made a mistake in not starting with Hunter at Kendal, saying: “The previous week the team had been excellent at Harrogate and it would’ve been unfair on the team to make changes.

“We’d been outstanding and everyone was pleased, we were all delighted, but I’ve heard people have been making a few comments about the team.

“But it was alright a week ago. It would’ve been disrespectful to leave anyone out. Liam Hatch was magnificent at Harrogate, but I put Alan White in, who has been magnificent this season.”

Early in the second half Gray switched to three at the back, sending on forwards Hatch and David Dowson and it almost had the desired effect.

Gray added: “We reshuffled things, made a couple of substitutions and got it back to 3-2 and we should’ve got a draw. We could’ve won. I didn’t throw teacups around, it wasn’t like that, but how we react on Tuesday is important and the players know it.

“The players have been left in no doubt about how I feel and I am certain we will get a response.

“We need to cut out the mistakes. We were punished for three on Saturday. It was out of character for us.

“Individual mistakes happen in all sports and if it was happening to us regularly you’d know we had a problem, but it was a one-off and I’m so pleased we’ve got a game on Tuesday.”

Farsley are ninth but have games in hand on most teams above them and have lost only once at home this season.