DARLINGTON football club is seeking guidance from the Football Association over "very concerning" issues which emerged after a routine audit, it was revealed yesterday.

The club announced the move during a press conference to explain its reasons for sacking manager David Hodgson.

Chairman George Houghton and the Football Association (FA) declined to go into details about the issues.

A hearing will be held this morning at the club when officials will reveal the findings of their inquiry, which led to Hodgson's departure.

The manager was sacked on Wednesday, four days into a two-week suspension.

He insists he has done nothing wrong and will state his case at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena, although he is unlikely to appeal.

The club initially said the reasons for the sacking were a poor run of form and alleged contact between the manager and League One club Bourne-mouth.

But yesterday it emerged that a third issue was a major factor in the dismissal.

Quakers revealed that the FA spent two days carrying out a routine "forensic audit" at the stadium last week.

Mr Houghton said: "Things have come out with are very concerning and I need guidance on it."

The club has made clear it is not connected with the ongoing investigation into the alleged bungs scandal within football.

An FA spokesman said: "It was a financial advisory unit within the FA. They make routine visits to clubs and this was a routine visit.

"There are other matters, relating to David Hodgson, which I can't comment on, and we have been in communication with Darlington on that and we are making inquires as a result."

Hodgson remains confident his name will be cleared of any wrongdoing and yesterday he insisted: "I have nothing to hide and I will tell the truth."