A MORE positive approach is a key factor in Darlington’s mini revival, a change of tact that has succeeded in securing three wins in a row and seen Dave Syers twice get on the scoresheet.

The midfielder has netted in two of Quakers’ recent wins, playing a full part since returning the side and coming off the bench in the 3-2 win at Leamington last month.

The game that saw Darlington go 2-0 down before changing formation to 4-2-3-1 and clawing their way back to win with a last-minute goal, since when they have also beaten Blyth and Bradford PA, and hope to win at Brackley this weekend.

Though premature to call it a winning formula, Syers is pleased with the change of mindset.

“The way we’re playing and the formation we’re playing gives me a bit more freedom, a bit more licence, especially with Joe Wheatley and Phil Turnbull playing so well in midfield,” said Syers.

“We’ve stopped worrying about if we’re going to concede, whether we’re going to lose, or how we need to defend. We’re thinking more about being on the front foot.

“If a team plays the ball through you with five or six one-touch passes then you’ve got to say well done.

“But you saw in the previous two games, against Blyth and Bradford, two good footballing sides, that if you get in their faces and hurry them they don’t like it.

“That’s allowed me to play a bit further up field, especially when the ball breaks, and can find those little space in the box.”

Darlington have won three games in a row for the first time since the beginning of the season, having been the victor only three times in their previous 19 matches.

Syers added: “Winning is a habit and so is losing. You can get into that mindset when confidence is low, worrying about the opposition and how the other team is going to play rather than thinking about ourselves.

“We’ve got a lot of the players who were in the team last year plus a lot of quality has come in as well.

“We pushed and grafted our way to a couple of draws, then got that last-minute win. How many late goals have gone against us? To get one to go your way, and then put in a good performance against Blyth just keeps you on the right track.”

Last Saturday Bradford occupied a play-off place before kick-off, as did Blyth seven days previously.

“I wouldn’t underestimate how big a result that was,” added Syers.

“They had won 5-0 during the week and they’re a good side. They have benefited from Guiseley going full-time, they have signed a lot of players with Conference experience.

“They’re a good side and we had to soak up a lot of pressure, they moved the ball well and they had a good understanding. We had to withstand it, and then take a grip of the game ourselves.

“We had to hold on after the sending off, and that’s now two clean sheets in a row, so everything about Saturday was positive.”

Darlington are now 14th and five points above the relegation zone, but the play-offs, 12 points ahead, are effectively out of reach.

Syers said: “We’re only worrying about week to week and game to game, putting in a good performance.

“The good thing now, with the confidence we’ve got, we’re not looking over our shoulder. Let’s not get complacent, but we’re now looking to see who can we catch, who can we drag back, rather than about who we can stay ahead of.”