Darlington face their toughest away game of the season so far when they go to fourth-placed Leyton Orient today but manager Gary Bennett is relishing the challenge.

The Londoners have dropped only four points in ten league games at Brisbane Road this season and they haven't lost to Darlington on home soil in 34 years.

Quakers have won just once on their travels this season in the league - at Southend in August - but Bennett feels Quakers are starting to turn the corner.

New signing Dave McMahon from Newcastle, who spent a month on loan at Falkirk this season, will probably figure at some stage today, though Bennett has almost a fully fit squad at his disposal for the first time in a couple of months.

"That will make a big difference to us," he said.

"Paul Heckingbottom, Gary Himsworth, and Stuart Elliott are all back in the squad now after being out for various reasons over the past few weeks.

"And with the new striker coming in we have options up front. My hands were tied before - I could only use Glenn Naylor and Kevin Kyle up front because of the injuries we had."

Irishman McMahon is not eligible for Tuesday's FA Cup tie at Luton but it seems certain he will be playing a major role up front soon, especially if Kyle goes back to Sunderland after his current loan period ends.

Bennett is hoping the trip to the Orient will be a positive turning point in Darlington's season, in contrast to their last visit in March. Then a 2-1 defeat ended a six-match winning run and Quakers won just twice more in the league to eventually blow promotion.

"The last couple of games have gone for us. We played well against Luton and Mansfield and, for a change, decisions haven't been going against us.

"We kept a clean sheet last week against Luton and that gave everybody a confidence boost. But the players must continue to defend well."

Director Luke Raine believes Quakers can still figure in the promotion race and said chairman George Reynolds has not ruled out making money available for further signings.

Raine said: "If the right player is available the chairman has said he will spend some money on a transfer fee if he has to.