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Throughout the season, Darlington have been well and truly in the promotion hunt. With the crucial Christmas and New Year fixtures coming up in December and the start of January, the Quakers needed to maintain the good form that has seen them lose just 2 games all season. Integral to the excellent results have been Darlington's rock solid defence which, before December had conceded just 10 goals and kept 12 clean sheets. Steve Foster, Alan White and company would have to remain rock steady to keep the promotion charge on track.

After a 10-day break, Darlington's first task of December was to travel to struggling Grimsby and get a result. Within minutes of the kick off, Darlo had taken the lead. A needless corner was conceded by the home side and, from the resulting corner swung in by Rob Purdie, Alan White rose highest to nod the Quakers ahead. Midway through the first half, Darlington's advantage was doubled when Gregg Blundell fired a low effort past the hapless Grimsby keeper. The second half was more of the same as the Quakers ran rampant. Good work on the left flank resulted in a dangerous ball played across the area and loan signing Richie Foran side footed home from 10 yards. The game died down after that, but the Quakers still were able to nab a 4th. Joe Colbeck played in a deep cross and Mickey Cummins looped a header to record Darlington's biggest away win of the season.

Following the joy of yet another win, came frustration. Darlington's trip to Morecambe was abandoned midway through the first half due to torrential game. The match has been rearranged for Tuesday 15th January. The following weekend, Darlington's hone game with Chester fell victim to the freezing conditions. That match will hopefully take place in February. Add to that the trip to Barnet having to be rearranged due to the Bee's FA Cup commitments, there is now a big backlog of fixtures.

Darlington eventually got a game on the 22nd away to Lincoln. This was to be the start of a gruelling 4 games in 10 days over the Christmas and New Year period. After a poor start to the season, Lincoln had started a mini revival and were going to be a stern test of Darlington's promotion credentials. Or so everyone thought. After just 11 minutes, Richie Foran raced clear to slot the Quaker's in front. Darlington's 2nd goal came via the penalty spot. Lincoln's Danny N'Guessan handled in the area. Clark Keltie duly dispatched the spot kick. With half time approaching, Gregg Blundell worked himself some room before whipping in a cross, which Mickey Cummins struck home to give Darlington a 3-0 lead at the interval. With the game and 3 points wrapped up, the 2nd half lacked any competitive edge. The Quakers however were able to add another before full time. A right wing cross-met the head of Cummins who scored his 3rd goal in 2 matches. That ensured back-to-back 4-0 away wins and a 5th win on the bounce.

Boxing Day's fixture at home to Rotherham attracted nearly 7000 spectators, the largest league crowd of the season. But once again, in front of a big crowd, the Quakers got the wobbles. A below par first half performance saw Rotherham have the best chances and then eventually take the lead through the head of Chris O'Grady. In the 2nd half, Darlo's performance was much improved. Halfway through the second half, Blundell floated in a cross. Cummins latched onto the cross. His first effort was blocked, but he was alert enough to score the equaliser. Pawel Abbott missed a great chance in the dying minutes, striking against the bar with the goal at his mercy. The draw kept Darlington's unbeaten home record in tact, for now.

The pattern of results this season for Darlington have been: 6 games unbeaten then a loss, 6 games unbeaten then a loss. Currently, the Quakers were 6 games unbeaten. The final game of 2007 was at home to table toppers MK Dons. Darlington took the game to their promotion rivals, with Clark Keltie and Ian Miller, in for the ill Steve Foster, both going close early on. However, MK Dons turned up not wanting to play football themselves, but to stop Darlington playing football with a disgraceful display of gamesmanship. Their players spent time rolling around on the floor, wasted time, dived and just about killed off the first half. The start of the second half saw a Quakers onslaught with Tommy Wright hitting the post and Pawel Abbott somehow putting the ball wide after Rob Purdie's shot had been parried by Don's keeper Willy Gueret. Darlington once again this season switched off right at the end and this was to prove to be costly. The Don's quickly countered and Jemal Johnson, who had spent time on loan Darlington 2 seasons ago, beat David Stockdale to give MK Dons an undeserved win.

Darlington were looking to bounce back on New Year's Day at Rochdale. However, their worst display of the season saw Darlington concede 3 first half goals. A shell-shocked Quaker's side scored a consolation penalty through Clark Keltie. To make matters worse, Alan White was sent off and initially refused to leave the pitch, an action that has landed him with a 3-match ban.

Darlington will have to improve on the Rochdale performance if they are to secure promotion. A tough 12 games in 6 games is upcoming, and this is likely to prove pivotal and crucial in deciding whether or not Darlington are playing in League 1 next year or League 2.

9:44am Monday 14th January 2008

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