Mick Tait has unearthed a cunning midfield combination in Ashley Nicholls and Clark Keltie.

The pair have been influential in revitalising a Darlington side which has taken four points in their two games under caretaker boss Tait following the departure of Tommy Taylor.

Today sees the unlikely partnership pit their wits against high-flying Lincoln City and Tait admits he would be mad to leave them out.

"No-one in their right mind would dream of changing things after the way those two have performed in the last two games," said Tait.

"They've done themselves proud and all I'm looking for from them now is to carry on in that same vein. They're enjoying themselves.

"They are young lads and I know they'll take a dip at some point. The young ones aren't normally as consistent as the older ones, but I think they will keep on performing like this for a while."

Paul Campbell is a major doubt after picking up a groin injury in the midweek draw with Scunthorpe, while Stuart Whitehead is still struggling with a rib injury.

"We'll leave Stuart until Saturday but it doesn't look good at the minute," admitted Tait.

Matt Clarke will deputise should Whitehead fail to recover.

Lincoln boss Keith Alexander has his own selection problems, with key duo Scott Willis and Simon Yeo both suspended.

"There's no doubt we're going to miss them. They are both very influential players," said Alexander, who is compensated by the return of Stuart Bimson and Richard Logan.

Having struggled in the lower reaches of the Third Division in recent seasons, The Imps have enjoyed a promising start. But their style of play has come under fire from fellow managers.

The Imps employ a direct, long-ball game with the aim of launching set-pieces and throw-ins into the opposition penalty area.

"They've done very well," said Tait. "They've probably been the surprise package of the Third Division so far.

"They've had some great results and they're obviously working very hard for each other."

However, Tait remains confident his side will be more than a match, providing they produce the same sort of commitment as against Scunthorpe on Tuesday.

"We have to play at the same sort of tempo and be as committed," said Tait. "I think that will be enough to match them and I'm sure we have enough ability to cause them problems."

As he looks to earn the Feethams job on a permanent basis, Tait has challenged his players to sustain their commitment throughout the season.

"What they must do is carry on playing like that, wanting the ball all the time," said Tait. "We've given the lads a bit of freedom to play and they're enjoying doing that.

"I'm delighted with the performances. I think we should have had six points though, not four.

"The most important thing to start with is to make sure everybody is performing to their potential.

"There were a lot of players under-performing and we've tried to change the way we play to suit the players a little bit better. It seems so far so good, but they have to keep doing that, keep playing the right way."

Not many teams receive a standing ovation after drawing at home but the fans were clearly impressed with what they saw against Scunthorpe and Tait hopes curiosity will get the better of fans who have stayed away.

"I'm sure the players realise if they give that every week the supporters will get right behind them and hopefully there'll be a few who haven't been for a while will start coming back again.

"I think even if we'd lost that game the players would still have received a standing ovation because of the performance.

"We played well enough to win and everybody in the ground knew that. The fans appreciate effort and commitment and they certainly got that on the night."

* Ian Britton of Kidderminster Harriers has been named as the

Nationwide manager of the month for October in Division Three, after steering the Worcestershire side to the highest position in the club's history.

Four wins from five matches took the Harriers up to second spot and Britton said: ''Getting the Nationwide manager of the month award is magic but it is the players who have got to take the plaudits."

Read more about the Quakers here.