Will they or won't they? That's been the question no Darlington supporter has been able to answer all season and, despite having only 180 minutes of football left to play this season, nobody can predict with any confidence whether or not Quakers will end up in the play-offs.

All season Darlington have kept people guessing with small bursts of form followed by disastrous results which have combined to leave a nervy finish to the season, including a vital clash at sixth-placed Lincoln City this Saturday.

On the same day eighth-placed Northampton are away to Chester, who've nothing to play for. The situation is so tight that it looks likely the destination of seventh spot, the final play-off position, will be decided on a nail-biting last-day decider.

But the manner in which Darlington took three points against Rushden and Diamonds suggests they will grab that play-off place . . .but only just.

Although, in theory, Wycombe and Rochdale could catch Quakers, as they're six points behind, that's about as likely as the always-breezy Williamson Motors Stadium ever being anything other than colder than a North Pole igloo.

Instead it's a two-way fight between David Hodgson's side and Northampton - old foes from Darlington's last play-off season in 1999/00.

Then, in the final stages the Cobblers overtook the Quakers in the race for the last remaining automatic promotion place.

Five years on and the same two clubs are fighting it out for the last remaining play-off place.

"I think we do owe them one," admitted Neil Wainwright, also at Darlington in 99/00.

"We're only three points behind Lincoln but it does look like a fight between ourselves and Northampton for seventh.

"I'd particularly like to beat them to it."

Although Darlington have never been close to the top three this time around, in truth, given the talent in the squad, they should be much closer to an automatic promotion spot.

Bobby Petta, Clyde Wijnhard, Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong weren't signed in the hope of scraping into the play-offs.

That opportunity has been wasted but it will be forgotten about if Darlington manage to win in Cardiff on May 28, because while the class of 2000 were disappointed to end up in the play-offs, the current squad would be delighted at the prospect of three extra matches.

In theory Northampton have the easier fixtures Chester (20th) and Kidderminster (23rd) while Quakers' last game at home to Cheltenham (16th) is preceded by a tricky trip to Lincoln, but Darlington have a two-point advantage over Northampton.

The Sixfields club would rather be in Quakers' position because the pressure is on them, they must win at least one more game.

Cobblers may have so-called easier opposition to play, but they can't be having the rub of the green that Darlington are enjoying and lady luck is certainly on their side.

The first-half performance did little to raise temperatures in the Cold Bowl as Quakers appeared no better or worse than 23rd-placed Rushden.

But the game, and possibly the season, turned in the 49th minute when Wainwright won a dubious penalty.

Jumping for a high ball, lightweight Wainwright hit the floor under the weight of several Rushden defenders and the keeper but for their troubles the aptly-named referee, Kevin Friend, awarded a spot-kick which Clyde Wijnhard put into the corner.

Four minutes later, and without really imposing their authority on the game, it was 2-0 thanks to another Wijnhard penalty. Rushden's Stuart Gray needlessly fouled Brian Close, who was and running away from goal in the penalty area before being upended.

It was a similar story three weeks ago against Chester. Darlington struggled to make a breakthrough until Wijnhard's goal from the penalty spot earned three points.

Last month at Grimsby Quakers were fortunate to win, Jason St Juste's goal being their only shot on target.

It could be said Darlington were unfortunate to concede a late equaliser at Mansfield last week.

That, however, owed itself to rank defending but again Quakers received a get out of jail card as their play-off rivals all tripped up.

Maybe it's Darlington's reward for having to deal with so many injuries this season; maybe it's fate or maybe it's football's way of conjuring up a classic revenge story.

Whatever the omens mean, the bottom line is that Wijnhard is banging in the goals and Darlington perform better against higher placed teams which is what they must do on Saturday.

Five years on Quakers and Cobblers are head-to-head again, can they hold their nerve this time?

Will they or won't they? Yes they will.

Read more about the Quakers here.