QUAKERS fans can breathe a little easier as their team go into tomorrow's home game with Bury boosted by last Saturday's unexpected 1-0 victory at Scunthorpe United.

After repelling all that the home side could throw at them, Darlington pinched all three points when Clark Keltie smashed in a superb half-volley nine minutes from time.

The vital win stopped the rot of one win in 12 games, but Mick Tait's men are still only six points above the relegation places and can't afford to relax just yet.

But they should take plenty of encouragement from a fighting performance at Glanford Park against a team pushing hard for automatic promotion.

Veteran winger Peter Beagrie twice hit the woodwork as the home side piled on the pressure in the first half, but full back Simon Betts recovered from a torrid first 45 minutes to shackle his tormentor after the break.

Scunthorpe's frustration grew and Quakers stole victory when Neil Maddison's free kick was only half-cleared for Keltie to score from the edge of the area.

Darlington face another difficult task tomorrow as the Shakers come to Feethams with plenty to play for.

Following their 1-1 draw at home to Oxford United on Tuesday night, they are currently just outside the play-off places in eighth.

But automatic promotion is still a realistic target for them as they are only two points behind third-placed Bournemouth.

Quakers will have to manage without leading scorer Barry Conlon, who starts a two-match suspension following his recent sending off against Cambridge United, while left back Ryan Valentine is away on international duty with the Wales under-21 squad.

Meanwhile, loanee Darren Hockenhull from Blackburn has joined Rochdale on loan.