DARLINGTON are looking to continue this season’s good record on the road as they face two away matches in four days, Kidderminster Harriers today and Boston United on Tuesday.

Their league statistics suggest they have been poor away from Blackwell Meadows, winning four of 13 matches.

Yet, including fixtures in cup competitions, they have already won more times away than in either 2017-18 or ’18-19, when they picked up five wins in each season.

Manager Alun Armstrong has overseen seven away wins, and he said: “People might say our away record is poor but I don’t think it is. Yes, at the start of the season it was, but we didn’t lose away from home in cup games.

“That’s five matches, then we won at York, we won at Guiseley, but there’s been Spennymoor away and Chester away more recently.

“We just started the season really poorly and that makes the record seem worse than it is.”

Whereas statistics can be interpreted different ways, what is indisputable is that Darlington have been poor in each of their last two matches, losing 3-0 to both Chester a fortnight ago and then Guiseley last week.

“The whole game was poor, there was no energy and it’s been two games running now where we’ve been low on energy and been outfought and out-battled,” groaned Armstrong.

“Chester and Guiseley wanted it more than us, and I’ve told the lads that that has been the most disappointing thing.

“You don’t mind getting beat if you’ve had a right good go, but I thought in them two games we’ve been nothing like we had been previously.

“We’re about high-energy, pressing people and winning the ball back. Both performances were way off the mark.”

Also poor seven days ago was the state of the pitch at Blackwell, and it is becoming a cause of concern for Armstrong and his players.

They can at least expect to play on a decent surface at Aggborough, and the manager said: “It’s meant to be a decent pitch down there, so that’s a plus. Everywhere we’ve gone where the pitch is decent we’ve played some good football.”

Referring to the Guiseley home game, he added: “We brought in fresh legs but we never got started. The pitch didn’t help, I must be honest. It’s getting worse and it seems to suit the opposition more than us.

“Guiseley’s pitch was lovely, but at home we couldn’t move the ball against them because we needed an extra touch, and that allows the opposition to press you.

“It’s hindering us. People say it’s the same for both teams, but there’s not many teams that like us.”

Could Quakers react to the uneven playing surface by using different tactics?

“We haven’t got the people to play any other way. You’d need a massive squad to have two ways of playing. We could do it, but it wouldn’t be to our strengths.

“I know it sounds like an excuse because it’s the same for both teams, but it should not stop them giving their all.”

Armstrong will make changes against Kidderminster with Adam Campbell replacing Gary Martin, while he is considering taking Justin Donawa out of the line-up.

He explained: “I’ve got to make my mind up about the flanks. Justin looked dead on his feet and devoid of ideas, but he wasn’t the only one. Jarrett will give you everything but there wasn’t any link up for him to play with.

“The intensity wasn’t there with Justin, it’s probably the longest run he has had in the team.

“Alex Storey and Louis Laing as well, they looked shattered, and Ben Hedley. You’ve got to remember these are young lads.”

Kidderminster are 16th having won three of their 14 home league games, and are buoyed by beating King’s Lynn 2-0 last Saturday, inflicting the leaders’ first home defeat for 18 months.

Ashley Chambers scored one of the goals, a striker who Tommy Wright came close to bringing to Quakers during his tenure.