DARLINGTON manager Tommy Taylor believes the club's next five games could make or break their season.

The Quakers, who entertain seventh-placed Shrewsbury Town this afternoon, sit seven points adrift of a play-off place.

But with their next four matches all against teams occupying a position above them in the Third Division, Taylor is convinced that promotion is a real possibility.

After today's clash with the Shrews, Darlington face important fixtures with fellow promotion candidates Cheltenham, Mansfield and Hartlepool - three of which are at Feethams.

Taylor, whose side have won nine of their 14 games on home turf, is convinced that Second Division football is a real possibility next season.

"I have hardly had to say anything to the players ahead of this one," said Taylor. "All I've said is if we win our next five they can start thinking about promotion.

"I know the next four matches are against teams who are in contention, but I consider the fifth game against Torquay to be just as important.

"Torquay may be struggling, but they will be our fourth home game in five matches and those represent a big opportunity for us.

"Should we win our home games then we will be right in there with a shout.

"We have to win them all, though. I don't consider draws to be good enough at home. We need to take all the points and that's how it should be in front of our own fans."

Taylor, who twice led Leyton Orient to the play-off final, in the 1998-99 season and last campaign, has seen his side win three of their last four matches.

Despite his advances for Sunderland striker Michael Proctor turning cold, the Darlington boss is convinced his side are still capable of mounting a serious challenge.

"I don't see why we should go into any match fearing anyone," said Taylor. "We have shown we can compete with all the teams in this division, all we need to do is cut out the silly mistakes.

"The Proctor deal may have fallen through but we have still got good players here. I am still on the look-out, I always am, and if we can improve the squad then so be it.

"We have always got to look to improve the squad. I have released seven players since I came here, so there are places in this squad. It's just about finding the right men to fill those."

Darlington are without Simon Betts for today's match and keeper Andy Collett remains a doubt with a bruised stomach.

Midfielder Mark Ford has recovered from a groin niggle picked up in the win at Carlisle on Tuesday and both Danny Mellanby and Richard Hodgson are back in the frame.

But Taylor admits that he is not looking to change the team which won at Brunton Park.

"How can I change a team doing so well?" asked Taylor. "I may be forced to make changes but it's not something I'm looking to do.

"We know that Shrewsbury will come to us confident because they have got a couple of good, quick forwards.

"They may have Nigel Jemson out injured for a couple of weeks but the lad Luke Rodgers is sure to cause us problems with his pace.

"Rodgers is highly-rated but with Gary Pearson's pace I think we could snuff him out and keep him quiet."

* Barnsley are looking to offload a full team of players via a reserve team fixture against Darlington next week.

The club have notified League clubs of the match at Oakwell on Monday, where all the players who feature for the Tykes are available for loan or transfer.

Barnsley chief scout Russ Richardson explained: ''We have got too large a number of players to deal with on a daily basis. It is too much for the coaching staff.

''It will also enable us to free some money up to bring in players for next season.

''There has been nothing sneaky. The players have been told there isn't a future in our first team.''

Read more about the Quakers here.