Darlington manager Gary Bennett is looking for another improvement from his players when they take on Shrewsbury for a place in the last 16 of the LDV Vans Trophy tonight.

After two below par games against Chesterfield and Rochdale, Quakers suddenly burst into life against York and Plymouth, and the confidence of the players is at its highest for some time.

Another good performance against Shrewsbury tonight will provide some much-needed relief for the home fans, who have seen their play-off chances disappear in recent weeks.

A win would earn Quakers a trip to either Port Vale or Chester in the area quarter-finals.

"Every time we put in a good performance, the players become more confident," said Bennett. "Winning becomes a good habit.

"We have overcome three hurdles in the last few days. At York, we won away for the first time since August and kept a clean sheet, and at Plymouth we came back from a goal down, and should have won.

"Saturday's performance has given everybody a boost. To have so much of the play away from home was encouraging, although we would have liked a couple more goals. We had the right balance in the side with people in their natural positions, and hopefully that will continue."

Bennett is impressed with the form of youngster Mark Kilty, who has played at both left back and centre-half since he broke into the team a month ago.

The teenager is expected to keep his place in tonight's line-up, and Bennett said: "He has done tremendously well since he came into the side.

"He will get stronger and stronger, but we must be careful how we handle him. He's only a young lad, and we can't expect him to perform well week in and week out. He is going to take a dip sometime."

Defender Craig Liddle suffered a dead leg at Plymouth and is doubtful for tonight's game, while striker David McMahon has a bruised leg.

The other problem on Bennett's mind is that Liddle and Adam Reed are both on four yellow cards.

Bennett, meanwhile, is hoping to see chairman George Reynolds for talks in the next couple of days, and gain permission to press ahead with the signing of defender Dean Walling, who is likely to appear for the reserves at home to Halifax on Wednesday night