Darlington have already decided on next year's battle plan for what they hope will be a much more fruitful season than the last two.

Feethams chief Tommy Taylor is a firm advocate of the 4-4-2 formation. He usually uses two wingers, but on Saturday at Oxford he played a man just behind the front two with a midfielder behind him and two out wide.

Taylor likens the formation to that employed by champions Plymouth but admits he needs two more additions to play it regularly.

"We tried that shape in training a couple of times in the week before the game and on Saturday we said we'd give it a go because that is the shape we're going to play next season," said Taylor.

"We started with Fordy just behind the front two then in the second half we put Hodgy there instead and put Fordy on the right.

"I looked at Plymouth and they played that kind of system. I think we've got players who can play that system but we might have to bring in two players with a good engine who can play out wide and can get up and down.

"Those positions aren't really wide people, they are midfield people and you also need your full-backs overlapping and working hard.

"On Saturday we moved the ball around well and they had to come and mark us in areas they did not want to come and mark us."

Craig Liddle and Neil Wainwright will attend a meeting of the Newton Ayliffe branch of the Darlington Supporters Club next Monday (7.30) at the Iron Horse.

l Mark Tinkler could only look on as Hartlepool United made the play-offs - and now they are there he's determined to get a piece of the action, writes NICK LOUGHLIN.

Tinkler has been a mainstay in Chris Turner's side this season, but has not played since suffering a freak knee injury.

In his absence, Pool have stormed into the play-offs, when they will face Cheltenham.

"I'm going to train this week and see how I get on. Hopefully, I'll be available for Saturday,'' he said.

"It was a bit awkward watching on Saturday, especially in the second half. But the lads played well, like they have done in the last few weeks.

"We've won five games in a row - and I haven't been playing! But we've got a big squad here, full of good players and as one player goes out there's always someone good to come back in.

"We played very well down there a couple of months ago and 3-0 wasn't a fair reflection of the game. We were well in control in the first half then we gave away two goals. We've got to cut that out because they are a good team.

"But we know that if we can carry on playing like we have been, then we can do well.''

Tinkler was part of the Pool squad that faced Blackpool last year, but insists the class of 2002 will be better prepared.

"I think we have learned a lot from the play-offs last year, we didn't perform then,'' he admitted. "But the gaffer knows what he is doing, how he is going to play against them and we are all looking forward to it.''

Alan Shearer is backing Pool to triumph in the play-offs.

Shearer, a Victoria Park guest of Pool chairman Ken Hodcroft when Pool played Cheltenham last September, said: "What a great achievement to put a run together like that, because at one stage of the season it looked like they weren't going to do it.

"I'm pleased for Chris Turner and Ken Hodcroft. Hopefully they can go up this season, but we will all be cheering them on.''

* Pool have been allocated 1,150 terrace tickets for the second leg at Whaddon Road a week tonight. They are on sale to season ticket holders tomorrow (10am-5pm) and Thursday (10am - 7pm) on production of voucher G. No telephone sales will be accepted.

Tickets for the first-leg are on sale to season ticket holders until 7pm tonight and go on sale to supporters with ticket stubs from the Swansea game tomorrow. Cheltenham are chartering a plane to fly supporters to the North-East on Saturday, leaving Gloucestershire Airport at noon and landing back at 7pm at a cost of £250.

Read more about the Quakers here.