WITH the eyes of many in sport today on the Grand National, Darlington’s gruelling gallop to the finish line continues during their bid to beat Blyth Spartans in a two-horse race for the title.

A visit to Grantham is Quakers’ latest hurdle, their third game in five days, having experienced a week of mixed fortunes.

They lost 3-1 at Frickley, then overcame Nantwich 2-1 to close in on the leaders.

Four points separate the top two, but Darlington have two games in hand and are aware that by winning all of their six remaining fixtures they would pip Blyth to automatic promotion.

While Blyth today have what appears to be a comfortable fixture at home to lower mid-table Skelmersdale, a team which returns to the North-East on Tuesday when they visit Heritage Park, Quakers go to the only club they have yet to face this season.

As at Frickley, when around 450 Darlington supporters made the journey, a large number of fans are expected to travel to Lincolnshire and manager Martin Gray is banking on them for their support.

They were noticeably vocal on Thursday at Heritage Park, and Gray said: “The crowd were fantastic and they played a massive part. They got noisier as the game went on and never shut up.

“All those things make a big difference and the players respond to it.

“We’ve got the best fans in the country, nobody can say they’ve got better fans than us.

“The thing they know they’re always going to get from my time is 100 per cent, they will give everything and “Saturday is another massive game and I’m sure it’ll be another big following,” said Gray.

Amar Purewal’s long-awaited return to action was a high point on Thursday, his introduction as a second-half substitute rallying Quakers’ supporters when it was 1-1 and Darlington desperately needed a goal.

“It gave the crowd a lift and they really got behind the team and Amar when he came on,” added Gray.

“He’s a big part of the club, it was great to get him back on the pitch.

“He’s done really well on loan for Harrogate RA, scoring four goals in eight games, so it was good to get him back and give everyone a lift.

“He did a good job on the ball and he will play a big part in the run-in.”

Purewal will be in the squad today, as will Chris Hunter, but the latter will miss the end of the season due to suspension. Darlington have decided against appealing against his red card on Thursday for serious foul play, and as it was the defender’s second dismissal of the season, he will miss four games, starting at Whitby on April 21.

He will also miss the final league fixture at Rushall Olympic and, should Quakers contest the play-offs, Gray’s first-choice right-back would not be available.

Hunter’s absence hastens the need for Gary Brown to return soon. It has been a fortnight since he was concussed and Gray hopes to call on the defender today against a team that also played on Thursday.

Grantham conceded a late goal to draw with Marine, meaning they have lost only once in ten games, although a week ago they were thumped 5-0 at Salford City. Striker Lee Shaw is unavailable after dislocating his shoulder in that match.