AS a player, the play-offs never really agreed with Mark Proctor. But as a coach, the Darlington No.2 is hoping his luck may be about to change.

On three occasions, and with three different clubs, the 45-year-old has suffered play-off heartache.

In the first season the play-off format was introduced, Proctor suffered relegation with Lawrie McMenemy's Sunderland in 1987.

Proctor played a pivotal role in ensuring the Wearsiders would face Gillingham over two legs to preserve their Division Two status. Sunderland needed to beat Barnsley on the last day of the season to stay up. His penalty miss, when they were leading 2-1, turned the game as Barnsley left Roker Park with a 3-2 win.

After losing to Gillingham on the away-goal ruling, Sunderland were relegated and the Gills were promoted.

In 1991 Proctor was part of the Middlesbrough side which lost 2-1 on aggregate to Notts County in the Second Division play-off semi-finals.

Two years later, Proctor was involved with Tranmere when they were beaten over two legs by Swindon in the Division One semi-finals.

Now part of the Darlington coaching staff and with Quakers chasing a play-off place, Proctor has a score to settle.

"I've played in the play-offs for Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Tranmere and tasted defeat in them all," said Proctor.

"It's a horrible feeling and hopefully that misfortune is all about to change."

Before Proctor can lay his play-off ghost to rest, Quakers must reach them first.

One point from a possible six may have done little to enhance Quakers' play-off hopes over the Easter weekend. But such is the inconsistent nature of League Two, David Hodgson's men remain very much in contention, two points outside the play-off zone in ninth.

Lincoln moved up to seventh, the final play-off spot, following their 3-0 win at Wycombe on Easter Monday. Peterborough slipped down to eighth after suffering their fourth defeat in five games at Rochdale on Monday.

"The results around us have gone quite favourably," admitted Proctor. "It's an old clich but we're taking each game at a time.

"It was disappointing to lose against Northampton but we earned a good point down at Cheltenham, which could easily have been three."

This afternoon Quakers entertain a Bury side which has yet to guarantee league safety. The Shakers are three points above second-bottom Rushden.

It was ten years ago this week that Quakers recorded a 4-0 win over Bury, promotion rivals at the time, at Feethams.

While the arrival of Chris Casper's strugglers this afternoon could not come at a more opportune time for Quakers, Proctor has warned a priceless win is still far from assured.

"Everybody is expecting us to win comfortably but we all know that has not always been the case," said Proctor.

"They're down there fighting and it will be a very difficult game for us."

Hodgson's defensive worries have eased, with both Matt Clarke and Shelton Martis recovering from injury.

Martis missed the Easter programme but will come in as a straight swap for Matty Appleby, who begins a four-match ban after his red card at Cheltenham on Easter Monday. Joe Kendrick has not yet recovered from a back problem the defender sustained as a result of the seven-hour coach journey home from Torquay a fortnight ago.

Striker Taiwo Atieno is back in contention after returning to training this week following a knee injury.

Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel enjoyed a successful loan spell with Quakers in January and the young Dane will line up against Quakers today.

Only the return to fitness of Sam Russell cut short Schmeichel's stay in the North-East. The 19-year-old conceded just one goal in four appearances for Quakers and Proctor said: "Kasper was outstanding for us and we're grateful that he served us so well.

"He has a very big future in front of him and I'm sure he'll be a very important player for Bury in their run-in.

"Obviously, we're hoping he doesn't play too well against us!"

Lewis Gobern has recovered from a thigh injury and the on-loan Wolverhampton winger will be available.

Defender Paul Scott is back after a two-match suspension and is included in the Bury squad.

Read more about the Quakers here.