Darlington release Steve Foster and Lee Thorpe

Lee Thorpe (left) and Steve Foster are to depart the club

Darlington boss Steve Staunton has released defender Steve Foster and striker Lee Thorpe from the club.

Foster, 35, was signed by former boss Dave Penney from Scunthorpe in May 2007 and made more than 100 appearances during his time at the club.

Thorpe, 34, was signed by Staunton's predecessor Colin Todd in June 2009 but only played 10 times, scoring once.

Staunton told the club website: "I'd like to thank both Steve and Lee for their services."

Foster had been out of action since November's defeat by Morecambe as a clause in his contract would have automatically generated a new deal with two further appearances.

Meanwhile Quakers defender Ian Miller insists they are refusing accept their fate despite being bottom of League Two, 16 points adrift of safety.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Bradford was Darlington's 22nd league defeat this season, but Miller believes the players are giving their all.

"We wouldn't be here today if we thought that it was dead and buried and the season was over and done with," he told BBC Tees.

"You could see from the performance today that every kid wearing a Darlington shirt had heart, everyone rolled their sleeves up when they needed to and they dug deep.

"Unfortunately we didn't have the rub of the green and come away with any points."