AFTER a sequence of three matches against relegation fodder, Darlington face a sterner test today when they meet the side which has suffered the fewest defeats away from home in the division.

Brackley, who are ninth, make the 400-mile round trip to Blackwell Meadows from Northamptonshire, but their good form means they travel in good heart and with an outside chance of the play-offs.

They have suffered only two league defeats away from home this season, and have taken points at each of the top six – winning at Kidderminster, Halifax and Stockport.

It is Halifax and Stockport, in fifth and sixth places respectively, who Darlington are hoping to leapfrog today.

“Brackley are another team who are up there and they gave us a tough game at their place,” said Quakers boss Martin Gray, whose side drew 2-2 at St James’ Park in October, with Stephen Thompson and Josh Gillies scoring.

“We did ever so well after what was a long journey. It’ll be the same for them coming to our place.

“Down at their place we did ever so well and should’ve come away with a win. Josh Falkingham had a great chance to make it 3-1, we didn’t score, they broke on us and made it 2-2. I remember it well.

“Harry Dunn was down there last week to watch them against Salford and he said it could’ve gone either way, and I’ve spoken to Tommy Wright a lot this week because he’s from the area and knows a lot about them. They play 3-5-2 no matter who they’re playing against, that’s the way they are, they never change.

“It’ll be two good teams fighting it out. I’m sure they still believe they’ve got an outside chance of the play-offs, and they’re a team that has competed well against many teams in this league.

“We need to come out of the blocks strongly, be strong, focused, disciplined.

“We also need massive support. We’ve given ourselves a chance of the play-offs, we’re a newly-promoted team and it’s encouraging that we can challenge.

“We need the fans behind us for lots of reasons.”

Putting together consecutive victories has eluded Gray’s team since October, since when results have paled in comparison with the campaign’s first three months.

Having taken seven points from the last nine available, however, a win today would build on last Saturday’s 1-0 success at Stalybridge Celtic.

“We’ve got to win as many games as we can, it’s as simple as that,” added Gray. “You can’t put a target on of six or seven, all you can do is go into the next one and hope to win it.

“Whatever happens around you in the table happens, we’re in with a chance of the play-offs.”

Gary Brown begins a two-match ban after reaching ten cautions at Stalybridge, with Terry Galbraith most likely to take his spot in the centre of defence.

Chris Hunter was also an option, but he has filled in ably at right-back during the last three matches.

Gray said: “We’ve had two wins and a clean sheet. Liam Marrs is breathing down his neck, which is great, but it would be wrong to leave Chris out having done nothing wrong.

“For those that are in the team, they’ve got to keep the shirt, it’s up to them.

“The squad is strong, we’ve got a change on Saturday and it’s up to that player to stay in the team.”