WITH the next three fixtures pitting Darlington against teams currently not far above them in the table, this could be described as a pivotal point in Quakers’ season.

A top-half finish remains within grasp if they can put a good run of results together, conversely, they remain too close to the relegation places for comfort, placed in 15th and seven points above the drop zone.

The season has not developed as hoped for on the opening day of the season when Darlington lost 2-1 at home to Curzon Ashton, who are Saturday’s opponents in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Curzon are 13th, and then come fixtures at Blyth Spartans (10th) and at home to Southport (11th), three clubs Quakers could reach if they can build on their recent performances.

The Northern Echo:

They have generally played well of late, certainly deserving more than to lose 2-1 last weekend against Spennymoor Town.

Manager Tommy Wright was also pleased with the first 81 minutes of the midweek display against Hartlepool United, and then his team contrived to throw away victory by conceding twice inside two minutes late on during the Durham Challenge Cup tie.

Nonetheless, he remains positive about the team’s prospects, but he is aware clubs are snapping at Darlington’s heels.

“Our attention now solely on the league and there is a clutch of teams ahead of us that we want to try and catch, but there is that little pack below us as well,” he said.

“If we don’t get it right over the next four or five games then we could get drawn into it.

“The next period is massive for us, we’re playing teams around us and I want to get as many points on the board as possible.

“Our main goal is to climb into the top half of the table and we’re not a million miles away from doing that.”

Only the most optimistic of onlookers would predict a place in the play-offs is in the offing.

Last season Bradford (Park Avenue) finished seventh with 63 points – Quakers have 31 points from 27 games played and 15 to go.

The match with Pools’ reserves had a good atmosphere, attended by 1,619 Darlington supporters – plus 139 backing the visitors – and Wright had been eager to give them a victory, one that was on the verge of being secured thanks to Stephen Thompson’s first-half goal.

But individual errors cost Quakers, and for the second time in four days Darlington lost 2-1 having been 1-0 up at half-time.

“I expected to win the game,” said Wright. “I don’t want the lads to dwell on it too much, but games like that are about local pride.

“In this day and age with social media, Hartlepool fans will have been having a field day and that’s not a nice feeling for us because we felt that we let everyone down.

“The fans did their bit. They came out to support us and for 81 minutes I did not see what was coming.

“Even when they equalised I still expected us to go on and win the game, worst case scenario we would’ve had a penalty shootout, but the second Hartlepool goal was ridiculous.”

He will make changes to his 16 today as Romal Palmer and Williams Kokolo are available, while fitness checks will be made on Terry Galbraith, Ben O’Hanlon and Joe Wheatley.

Since the opening match of the season Curzon have replaced long-serving manager John Flanagan with Mark Bradshaw, who has been with the club for over a decade as head coach.

They have won their last four fixtures, against Ashton United (who are 21st), York City (18th), Nuneaton (22nd) and Chester (7th).

  • Darlington do not have a game next weekend as scheduled opposition Brackley will be involved in the FA Trophy.