THE conclusion to Darlington’s season comes today with a game that has loomed large ever since the fixtures were published, though nobody could have envisaged the circumstances in which they return to Salford City.

A rivalry has developed between the clubs generated by both competing for promotion in recent years, including last season, when Moor Lane staged one of Quakers’ most dramatic matches in recent memory.

A 4-3 win came with a last-minute Nathan Cartman goal as Martin Gray’s men recovered from being 3-1 down.

It was a sweet victory, Darlington going on to clinch the Northern Premier League title, Salford following them up via the play-offs in a role reversal of the previous year to ensure their rivalry would continue for another campaign.

In what is the third season in which the teams have been involved in the same promotion race, they go into the final day just a point apart, fourth-top Darlington ahead by one place. Salford need a point to be assured of a place in the play-offs.

Yet Darlington already know they will not be part of the end-of-season showdown, having fallen foul of FA regulations, namely: not having enough covered seats.

It is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly as the team’s form has improved as the season climaxes – over the last ten matches no team in the division has picked up more points than Darlington, who are a point behind Halifax.

Asked if he feels the season has been wasted, Gray diplomatically declines to answer, but does say that this season has been Darlington’s greatest achievement since their new era began in 2012.

He said: “Can we finish third? Let’s go for that. That’s what I will be saying to the players, but I’m very proud of what we have achieved already.

“It has been our first season in the division, we were promoted last season and we have kept going right until the end.

“I would say it’s our biggest achievement because we have been up against a lot of clubs with big budgets, bigger crowds and some of them are full-time.

“The players can be proud of what they have done.”

With Chorley and Stockport both just behind Salford, Gray knows today’s opposition can ill afford to relax.

“There’s still a lot to play for,” he said. “Personal pride, Salford need a result to make sure they’re in the play-offs, so their mentality will be similar to ours “There’s a bit of spice in this one. A draw is good enough for them but they will be playing for a win, if you play for a draw you can end up losing.

“We’ve had opposition lately who have had nothing to play for so they’ve maybe not been looking for a win.”

The is the eighth time Darlington and Salford have met since first locking horns in September 2013, David Dowson and Stephen Thompson scoring in a 2-0 Quakers win at Moor Lane in front of 305 spectators.

There will be far more in attendance today, and Moor Lane has changed a lot since, Salford as a club having altered beyond recognition on and off the pitch.

With money no object to the Class of ’92-owned club, during this season stands have been built on two sides of their ground and a third is under construction, while their average attendance is 1,361 (Darlington’s is 1,739).

“There have been a lot of good games between us in the last few years, they’re usually dramatic,” added Gray.

“I have a lot of respect for what they have done and grown as a club. They have developed at the same time as us, on and off the pitch, so I respect them for that. But when the game starts it will be business as usual.”

The teams drew 2-2 in December, Mark Beck scoring twice in what was Quakers’ last game at Heritage Park.

Salford have only lost once at home, whereas Darlington’s away form against teams in the top nine is not good, failing to win at any of the teams at the top.