DARLINGTON’S form has been inconsistent of late, so they need to take the confidence generated from last weekend’s performance if they are to pull off a shock win at Solihull Moors in the FA Trophy.

Seven days ago against Chester, a promotion-chasing team with only one away defeat all season, Quakers were competitive throughout and won 2-0, yet the result came four days after limply losing 3-0 at Leamington.

Before Leamington there had mixed performances and outcomes in games with Gainsborough and Telford.

So, having last Saturday watched his team give a demonstration of what they are capable of, manager Alun Armstrong wants more of the same in Saturday's first round tie.

He said: “We’re up and down. Everyone has seen how we can play, everyone has seen it so we cannot question what we have in the squad, it’s up to me to try and get it every week.

“Saturday was the first time I’d seen that energy and spark since the FA Cup games.

“We beat Gainsborough but we weren’t very good, we were poor that day, and we hadn’t played well since that Walsall match. First half against Telford we were good, but the second half and then in the Leamington match we were awful.

“We felt sorry for ourselves, there was a really dour demeanour from everyone, but then we picked ourselves up. I told them there was only them who could do it, we can only prepare them and guide them so much, it’s the players who are responsible once they cross that white line.

“They did it on Saturday, you could see that desire there. From the first minute we were blocking things, but we hadn’t had that the whole of the Leamington game.”

Armstrong will restore Will Hatfield to the starting line-up after the midfielder served a one-match ban last weekend, but defender Terry Galbraith is described as “touch and go” as he battles to overcome a calf problem.

Liam Connell is again unavailable as South Shields, his parent club, do not want him cup-tied as long as they remain in the Trophy, so Chris Elliott returns to the starting XI.

Darlington are sure to face a stern test in what promises to be a clash of styles against Solihull Moors, who favour a direct approach whereas Quakers prefer a more patient, passing style.

Solihull are fifth in the National League and have the best home record in the division, winning nine of their 11 matches at Damson Park and conceding only nine times.

They did lose 4-3 at home in the FA Cup against Rotherham United 12 days ago, however, despite leading 3-0 until late on.

Armstrong has watched the game this week, and he said: “It’s given me food for thought for trying to combat them, we’ve got to try and match them from the off.

“It’s a case of trying to adapt to nullify them as much as we can, and pick up the second balls. They were really good at that, and as soon as they’re on the ball they look to put the ball back in, there’s no second thoughts.

“They were brilliant for 70 minutes. We are going to have our hands full – they don’t just lump it, and they pick up second balls really well. It’s going to be a massive midfield battle.

“Lads like Will and Wheats are going to have to really battle in there, be on that front foot and win the second balls, and how we deal with the set-plays is going to be crucial. They do long throws as well into the back post from both sides of the pitch.

“Rotherham tried to play and Solihull nullified them quite easily, but the minute Rotherham started putting balls in behind that’s when they started asking questions, so we’ll have to mix our game up a bit.

“If we perform like we can then anything can happen, the lads know it.”

First round winners in the Trophy receive £4,500, and losers net £1,500.

Darlington are also away next weekend, at York City, and then host Spennymoor Town on Boxing Day.