After overseeing three wins in eight days, Darlington manager Martin Gray was glad of a break in the fixtures this week ahead of tomorrow's match with Prescot Cables.

Last Saturday Quakers overcame Ossett Town 6-1 in the FA Trophy, three days after defeating Ossett Albion in a league fixture having began the week with a 2-0 win at Salford City.

And Gray said of his table-topping side: "It's been good to have a free week and rest the players' legs. You can't expect them to play Saturday-Wednesday all the time and expect to maintain the sort of performances we've had recently.

"Players can end up fatigued and put in poor performances if they play too much.

"We had a big week, we scored 15 goals in three games so they deserve a break.

"Sometimes it's good to have a rest week and have the chance to get back on the training ground. You might think there's nothing to work on, but there is.

"You need to keep the standards high and there's always something to work on."

The visit to Heritage Park of Prescot Cables, 14th in the division, represents the two clubs' first meeting in 54 years since an FA Cup match at Feethams, which Darlington won 4-0.

Prescot's average attendances total 182, but they have filled a 72-seater double-decker bus to travel to tomorrow's match.

Meanwhile, Darlington's Durham Challenge Cup tie with Sunderland RCA has been arranged for Wednesday, October 30 (7.30pm).

The first round fixture at Heritage Park means the league game at Radcliffe Borough, scheduled for October 29, must be rearranged.