Doomed Darlington axe luckless manager Staunton

DARLINGTON have parted company with a manager for the second time this season after opting to relieve Steve Staunton of his duties.

The 41-year-old former Republic of Ireland boss only took over at the Northern Echo Arena in October after the sacking of Colin Todd, but he has been unable to prevent the Quakers from falling 19 points short of safety at the foot of League Two.

Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Barnet was watched by a record-low crowd of 1,463 and chairman Raj Singh has admitted that he was left with little option when it came to ending Staunton’s five-month stay with the club.