Darlington may have forgotten what defeat feels like after an unbeaten pre-season, but today's Third Division opener at Hull City will be a real test of their credentials.

Quakers go into today's clash at the KC Stadium having netted 16 times and conceded just five during pre-season.

However, Tait will need no reminding that the Tigers, installed as Third Division title favourites after another busy summer in the transfer market, will provide a different proposition altogether this afternoon.

Former Tigers midfielder Tait admitted Peter Taylor's side will prove to be a tough nut to crack this season.

"Hull have brought in some good players during the summer and I think they will be a hard team to beat," said Tait.

"Along with Northampton they will be one of the teams to beat this season and that's what we've got to compete with.

"We haven't had the best of summers with transfers but it's something we have to live with.

"It's been disappointing to lose out on some of the players I've wanted to bring in but you've got to respect their decision.

"If they've got better deals elsewhere then that's something you have to accept.

"I am pleased with the lads I have managed to bring in, we've had a good pre-season and now must take this into the season."

Quakers wrapped up preparations for the new season with a 1-0 win at Whitby on Tuesday night.

Tait has a fully fit squad to choose from which will include summer recruits Michael Price, Jonathan Hutchinson, Fabian Bossy and Glen Robson.

The latter is expected to be passed fit after struggling all week with a neck injury and should partner last season's top scorer Barry Conlon in attack.

Hutchinson, who joined the club on a two-year deal from Birmingham yesterday, is expected to go straight into a three-man defensive line-up which will also include skipper Craig Liddle and Matt Clarke, who should get the nod ahead of Gary Pearson.

Neil Maddison may have to settle for a place on the bench with Frenchman Bossy likely to make his debut in midfield alongside Clark Keltie and Ashley Nicholls.

Winger Neil Wainwright will travel with the rest of the squad despite breaking down in training during the week with a groin problem.

If passed fit, he could take up a right wing back role with Ryan Valentine likely to occupy the opposite flank.

While Tait will be hoping to open the campaign on a positive note, opposite number Peter Taylor has revealed his desperation to get the season off to a winning start after Quakers took six points off the Humberside outfit last season, includin a 1-0 win in the last ever game at Boothferry Park in December - a game which also saw Liddle sent off.

"Darlington did the double over us last season and I didn't like that," said Taylor. "Now it's our turn.

"Darlington have played a lot of football in pre-season.

"They have Barry Conlon up front and Keltie and Nicholls in midfield, which means they have enough talent to cause anybody problems."

The Tigers boss will hand a debut to four players, including Australian striker Danny Allsopp, who arrived for £100,000 from Notts County during the summer. Richard Hinds, Alton Thelwell and Jason Price are all in line to make their first starts for the club.

However, recent recruit Andy Dawson misses out with a knee injury.

l Quakers yesterday announced squad numbers for the new season, with new boy Bossy taking Glen Naylor's number six shirt from last season, while Hutchinson has been allocated the number 21 shirt.

1 Andy Collett, 2 Ryan Valentine, 4 Craig Liddle, 5 Matthew Clarke, 6 Fabian Bossy, 7 Gary Pearson, 8 Ian Clark, 9 Clark Keltie, 10 Danny Mellanby, 11 Ashley Nicholls, 12 Michael Price, 13 Barry Conlon, 14 Neil Wainwright, 15 David McGurk, 16 Mark Convery, 17 Chris Hughes, 18 Russell Waller, 19 Mark Sheeran, 20 Glen Robson, 21 Jonathan Hutchinson, 22 Neil Maddison, 23 Mark Kilty.