IF Darlington are able to follow up two draws over the past week with a win today it would lift the mood ahead of a fortnight without a game.

What was so close to a great week became merely reasonable, the team throwing ceding 2-0 leads inside four days in matches at Leamington and Bradford (Park Avenue).

They drew each match 2-2, yet the results at least continued Quakers’ improved run of results ahead of today’s return to home soil.

Darlington have now lost only once in seven league matches, and a win today against Guiseley could see the team move into the top half of the table.

“We’re four unbeaten, let’s take it into Saturday now and continue this run,” said manager Tommy Wright.

“Although we've conceded four goals in two games I think we’ve been pretty solid.

“I’m happy with everybody in the team but the defence has given us a platform.

“We had looked at what Bradford did to Chorley last week, and Bradford had thrown a lot down their right, so we put Luke Trotman down that side as he’s a really good defender one v one.

“That meant leaving out Alex Henshall and putting Jonny Burn into the back three, knowing he would help with his physicality at set-plays. It worked to an extent and it was probably the right call to make.

“It’s something to build on.”

Darlington have tried different formations as the season has progressed, and Wright added: “We’ve found a way of playing with the 3-5-2 system and we can be versatile with it, a little bit like England at the World Cup – they used the same formation but used it differently from game to game with different players.

“Hopefully we can continue the run. It’s about turning draws into wins, fine margins. We will be up there and I genuinely believe it.”

Wright’s team are 14th, one place below Guiseley, who were relegated last season and have won only one of their six league away games.

Darlington’s home record is not much better, however, having won only twice at Blackwell Meadows. Including the back end of last season they have won twice in their last 11 matches at a venue that should at least appear more homely today due to the addition of Quakers branded temporary signage.

They beat Boston United at Blackwell in their most recently home fixture, an own goal giving Quakers the points, meaning the last Darlington player to score at home was Stephen Thompson on September 8.

In a 3-0 success against AFC Telford United he netted a penalty, but Thompson missed from the spot on Tuesday at Bradford, goalkeeper Steven Drench saving.

Wright later reported that Thompson wished that Jordan Nicholson had taken the kick given that he was on a hat-trick, the diminutive forward having netted twice in the early stages of the contest.

The first was a goal of the season contender having dribbled from halfway before firing the ball into the top corner, the second was a neat finish inside a packed penalty area after good work by Thompson.

Wright said: “We are starting to see what Jordan Nicholson is about. I know what he can do but he is now finding his role in the team, in that No. 10 pocket.

“He was part of a front three that were a real handful on Tuesday.

“They’ve got goals in them and I was delighted with Jordan. He’s come to a new club this season and now has four goals which isn’t bad when he’s not been starting every week.

“I fancy him to reach high teens and if he goes on a run he could even get to 20. He’s in a good place and throughout his career he has had scoring patches so hopefully he’s at the beginning of one now.”

Darlington are without a match next weekend, their scheduled fixture at Chorley postponed due to the Lancashire club having an FA Cup tie with Doncaster Rovers a week tomorrow.