Caretaker boss Mick Tait will be excused from doing his homework on the opposition as Quakers return to action at Feethams this weekend.

After spending the last three weeks on their travels Darlington entertain Southend on Saturday.

And Tait joked: "Where do we play now? It's been that long!

"It will be different altogether. We don't have to worry about how the opposition plays as much as we do when we are away.

"We tinker with the formation a bit away from home. But at home we can play the way we want to play and have a real go at them."

Quakers have made considerable progress under Tait, who has suffered one defeat in six games since succeeding Tommy Taylor last month.

But with basement club Swansea just five points adrift of them Tait understands the importance of turning draws in to wins.

"We we could have had a few more wins," said Tait. "I can't just be happy that we've lost one game because we should have won a few of the games we've drawn."

There have been no new developments in Quakers' search for a striker and Tait's latest stumbling block appears to be their involvement in the FA Cup.

"I have one or two players in mind but with cup games approaching it's a little bit awkward at the moment," said Tait.

"Clubs are reluctant to let players go if it means they're going to be cup-tied after playing for us."

Defender Stuart Whitehead is still struggling with a stomach injury and missed training yesterday, while Ian Clark, who took a knock on the knee at the weekend, should be fit in time for Saturday.

Tomorrow's reserve team fixture at Scarborough has been postponed because the Seasiders are in FA Cup action at Cambridge tonight in a first round replay.

Tickets for the FA Cup second round tie with Stevenage at Feethams on December 7 will be on sale to season ticket holders only from Thursday, November 28 until an hour before Saturday's home game with Southend and go on general sale after the game.

Fans are being offered the opportunity to buy mini-season tickets that will run from the match against Torquay on December 28 until the end of the season.

Prices vary from £95 for adults to £334.88 and £55 for concessions to £264.38. For more details contact (01325) 240240.

Read more about the Quakers here.