NOT only have Darlington made progress for the first time in years in the FA Cup, striker Adam Campbell is enjoying his best stab at the competition to date.

In five seasons across spells at Notts County, Morecambe and Carlisle United the Newcastle-born striker, with seven goals this season, had limited success in the cup and never progressed further than two rounds.

He has already managed that with Darlington, however, and they aim to keep their run going when they go to Tamworth on Saturday in the fourth qualifying round.

“I’ve probably done worse than Darlo in the FA Cup!” admitted Campbell, who played live on BBC television when Notts County were beaten by Salford City in 2015.

“It’s been publicised a bit about the club’s record in the FA Cup after we had some good results lately.

“My goalscoring record in the cup is not too bad, but in terms of winning games I’ve had a fairly poor record, but so far that has changed this season.”

Three times Campbell scored in the FA Cup for Notts County, while he was in the Morecambe side that beat Hartlepool United 3-0 two years ago and he added one to his competition tally in Quakers’ 3-1 second qualifying win at Trafford four weeks ago.

Tamworth are second and one point off the top of Southern League Central Division, one level below Quakers, and Campbell added: “You want to win every game you play, but when you’re in the cup you know what the prize is if you get a result.

“We are against a team doing well in their league, but they’re a league below and we’ll be looking at getting into the hat for the next round.”

A place in the hat alongside all League One and Two teams awaits the winners of this weekend’s fourth qualifying round ties, plus prize money of £18,750.

Ben Hedley returns to Darlington’s starting line-up at right-back after serving a one-match ban last week with Michael Liddle reverting to left-back, Osagi Bascome and Justin Donawa will be in the squad after returning from international duty, while manager Alun Armstrong hopes Stephen Thompson will be available. He has had a groin strain that has sidelined him for two matches.