If Darlington are to capitalise on their promising start to the season and build a promotion push they know they must beat opponents whose statistics read: played eight, won one.

Today's visitors, Exeter City, sit rock-bottom of the table having conceded 21 goals in eight matches - they played six games before chalking-up their solitary win of the campaign.

But Quakers have come unstuck against lowly teams already this season in Carlisle and Torquay, so must be on their guard against a side desperate for points and to appease supporters after losing in midweek to derby rivals Plymouth.

Manager Gary Bennett is well aware Exeter will be a tough nut to crack.

"You can't underestimate anyone because that would be disrespectful to their team and their manager," said Bennett.

"They may be bottom of the league but Carlisle showed us the other week that games against teams in the lower half of the table are always going to be hard.

"The only disappointing game we've had this season was against Carlisle and if we play like we can, we know we can cause teams problems.

"If we play to our strengths we can give anyone a game."

For the third successive game Quakers must cope without right-winger Neil Wainwright as he struggles to overcome a groin strain picked up two weeks ago, while the injured Neil Maddison and David Brightwell won't participate either.

In fact the trio aren't likely to figure in Darlington's trip to Macclesfield on Tuesday either.

"Neil won't be available and I don't think he'll be available for selection for Tuesday either," admitted Bennett.

"It's a little bit worse than we thought at first, there's quite a bit of bruising in the groin."

"Neil has a lot of bruising on his foot so he won't be able to play. We'll have to have a look at him to see how his prospects are for Tuesday," Bennett said of Maddison, who limped off the field during the first half of Tuesday's decisive 3-0 win over Leyton Orient.

Brightwell had established a good understanding with Craig Liddle in Darlington's back four, but a cracked toe has forced him out of action since Saturday's defeat at Torquay, leaving the way open for Alex Jeannin.

The Frenchman had a steady game in Devon seven days ago, while he impressed as Darlington kept a clean sheet in midweek.

"That's the advantage of having not just a big squad, but a strong squad," said Bennett.

"Alex is starting to adapt to the English game, he's been used to that extra man at the back which we had last season.

"We've had a chat and he understands now that there are some physical sides. He sometimes likes to play too much football when all he's got to do is put his foot through the ball."

But the skilful stopper will be hoping all today's action is at the other end of the field against a team who have yet to keep a cleansheet this season - goalkeeper Matthew Gregg was to blame for one of the goals in Tuesday's defeat.

* Darlington target Michael Reddy last night joined Hull City on a month's loan from Sunderland.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international striker was made available for loan by Peter Reid this season, prompting interest from Carlisle, Luton and Hull, whom Reddy looked set to join last week until changing his mind at the last minute.

But Reddy has finally decided to spend a month at Hull, who along with York have agreed a deal with the Black Cats enabling them to have first option when Sunderland players go out on loan.

Read more about the Quakers here.