Unbeaten in 12 and well placed in the table, the festive fixture schedule provides Darlington an opportunity to firmly establish a place at the top end of the table.

They are second having not been outside the top two places since the end of September thanks to a fine run of form, winning ten and drawing two of their last dozen league games.

The latest three-point haul was an impressive victory at in-form Bamber Bridge seven days ago, when Quakers coped admirably without three suspended players.

First position, however, the only guarantee of automatic promotion, is their clear focus and they can reclaim it today at home Radcliffe Borough, who have to win away, while four of their rivals take points off each other.

Leaders Northwich Victoria, a point ahead of Darlington, are at home to third-placed Salford City, while sixth plays fourth when Farsley host Droylsden.

The visit of Radcliffe, who are 17th, to Heritage Park is the first of five matches inside 15 days for Quakers, and Terry Galbraith says now is the time to push on.

“Last Saturday was probably the hardest game out of however many games we’ve won in this run,” said the midfielder-cum-defender. “We had two weeks off because of postponements after a great run and sometimes that can hold you back when you haven’t played for a while. We started slowly, but did well throughout. We were in control.

“We’ve got a lot of games coming now so it’s about digging in and picking up maximum points.

“If we can do that over Christmas and create a big gap then I don’t see why we couldn’t kick on and win the league.

“It was frustrating having games called off, especially with the momentum we had going into those matches. But we responded well and won the game.”

With Gary Brown and Chris Hunter banned, Galbraith was used at centre-back last week, the fourth position he has played in this season and he admits he would prefer a regular slot in the team having found himself on the fringes of late.

He was used in centre-midfield after moving to the club from Dunston UTS just over two years ago, before playing at left-back last season, but Galbraith now finds his versatility exploited.

He said: “I’ve played four positions now: centre-midfield, left-midfield, centre-back and left-back. I’d probably prefer to have one position cemented, but I can’t complain as long as I’m playing.

“I played centre-back when I was at Gateshead College and a couple of times for Dunston, so I’m quite familiar with it. I wouldn’t say I’m an out and out centre-back, but I can fill in when needed to.

“I was meant to play there over the last few weeks when the games were postponed, so I knew I’d be there against Bamber Bridge. I’d been playing there in training as well, we’d worked on it.”

Quakers will aim for a better start today than last week when they conceded after only four minutes, albeit a terrific strike by Bamber Bridge striker Alistair Waddecar from 20 yards that left goalkeeper Peter Jameson little chance.

“I don’t know if I was out of position or not, but their player dropped a pass in between me and Alan White,” added Galbraith. "I recovered, but their striker finished well.

“I could’ve played alongside anybody really, but the one that is going to keep you right is Whitey. If I was going to pick one to play next to it would be Whitey because of his experience.”

With Hunter now available, however, Galbraith will make way today, though manager Martin Gray will give consideration to making changes over the next fortnight due to having so many games.

Jordan Robinson has rejoined the squad after overcoming a broken cheekbone, which necessitates wearing a protective mask, while the loan of defender Josh Nearney from Hartlepool United expires after today.