DARLINGTON'S punishing fixture schedule continues this evening when Lincoln City visit Feethams - the Quakers' fifth game in 11 days.

In their wisdom, the Football League says all postponed games must be rearranged at the earliest possible opportunity which means Darlington have another five consecutive midweek matches to come following tonight's game.

Considering the number of injuries and suspensions Darlington have accumulated of late it's just as well Quakers have unearthed a new defender in the shape of Gary Pearson.

A midfielder by trade, Tommy Taylor and assistant Mick Tait gave Pearson a chance at Peterborough and he hasn't looked out of place since.

Last week Tait admitted the only aspect of Pearson's game which may not be up on a par with his pace, tackling and heading ability, was his positioning, but the player himself says defensive partner Craig Liddle keeps him in check.

He said: "He keeps me right. Before the Luton game he had a little joke, saying I had to do all the running, the heading and he'd do all the talking.

"I feel comfortable at the back, I've played there in the reserves and I feel as though I can handle it. I just want to play in the team because I've been here a few months and I've hardly been playing."

On Saturday he capped an excellent game by creating the winner, scored by Mark Sheeran, having already scored Quakers' first of the afternoon via a free-kick which he blasted into the net from 25 yards. Admittedly, it did take a deflection, but that didn't take the shine off Pearson's first goal in professional football.

Pearson admitted: "I was excited to bits. I had a few family and friends in the crowd so it was extra special to score.

"It was definitely on target, I couldn't say if it was going in anyway. It hit a Luton player somewhere near his hip but I don't think that changed the angle of the shot, it just made it go up a little bit."

Danny Mellanby is struggling with a hamstring strain, Neil Maddison is fit and was substituted on Saturday for tactical reasons, while two-goal hero Mark Sheeran is in the squad.

Read more about the Quakers here.