FIRST-CHOICE centre-backs Kevin Brown and Gary Brown return for Darlington this evening when they make a second attempt to face Bradford Park Avenue at Blackwell Meadows.

It was postponed a week ago due to a waterlogged pitch, a game both defenders would have missed.

Burgess, however, has recovered from a minor injury, and Brown has served a two-game ban, so they slot into the centre of defence as Darlington attempt to achieve greater solidity after leaking goals at Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday.

All three goals in the 3-3 draw were down to lapses at the back, with goalkeeper Adam Bartlett enduring a nightmare debut after replacing Ed Wilczynski, but the No. 1 keeps his place.

As well as Burgess and Brown, also available to manager Martin Gray is Leon Scott after serving a four-match ban, while Josh Gillies is in line for a recall after making an impact as a substitute on Saturday as a spirited Quakers clawed their way back from 3-1 down.

Forward Arran Wearmouth was similarly productive in his first appearance since recovering from a cruciate injury, and Gray said: “It was nice for him to get some time on the pitch after so long out. He made a nuisance of himself for the centre-back.

“The good thing is Brown’s back now, Burgess is back and so is Leon Scott. The substitutes who came on all did well.

“Josh showed a bit of calmness, a bit of quality.”

A win tonight would see Darlington go fifth, level on points with FC Halifax Town and Salford City, who are third and fourth respectively.

Bradford have lost nine of the ten games they have played so far against teams in the current top seven, including their fixture with Darlington in September.

Quakers won 2-1, recovering from going behind with goals by Liam Hardy and Terry Galbraith clinching victory.

Adam Nowakowski started the match, his penultimate appearance before joining Bradford, initially on loan before making the move permanent.

He was a useful squad player during Darlington’s title win last season, playing in a number of positions, but he was never a regular in Gray’s first XI.

Nowakowski did not play on Saturday when Bradford beat basement club Altrincham, who had a man sent off early in the second half. Back-to-back wins have seen the Yorkshire outfit climb to 17th.

This evening’s game is Darlington’s eighth since moving to Blackwell Meadows, a move that has not been a smooth transition, though Quakers officials believe the situation is rapidly improving.

For the players, the fundamental issue has been the playing surface, and midfielder Phil Turnbull admitted: “Any team would find it difficult to switch stadiums halfway through a season and having to adapt.

“The pitch is the biggest difference. It’s an excuse in a way because both teams have got to play on it, but for some of our players it’s difficult to get the ball down and play passes because the pitch is inconsistent.

“I’ve found it difficult. There was a time in the last game when I played a square pass, but it was intercepted. On a decent pitch I’d have hit the pass first time, but I had to take a touch first.

“But you’ve got to deal with it and we’ll be looking to do it again on Wednesday.”