AFTER winning five consecutive games and rising to third in the table Darlington go into back-toback crunch clashes with Rotherham United and MK Dons on a high.

Fifth-placed Rotherham are the opposition this afternoon with Paul Ince's leaders visiting on Saturday, and two wins could put Quakers top of the table come Saturday evening.

Gregg Blundell admits that spirits are high in the squad but is expecting two tough games this week.

It was against the Millers against that the striker scored his first of the season in September.

That was a 2-0 win at Millmoor and today's game offers an opportunity to complete a second league double, the first coming after sweeping aside Lincoln City on Saturday.

"The morale is really high in the dressing room at the moment,"

said Blundell who has scored five goals in league and cup this season.

"It's a really good atmosphere among the lads and the way to keep it like that is to keep winning matches.

"We've put ourselves in a great position but it's down to us to stay there and make sure we have a good Christmas so that come the New Year we are still in a good position."

However, Rotherham, who have lost only once away from home, will provide sterner opposition than lowly Lincoln, as Blundell is well aware.

However, two wins in four days would be a huge boost to Darlington's promotion aims and Blundell said: "After not playing for a few weeks we needed to get back to winning ways so we needed a good start to the game on Saturday.

"To be 3-0 ahead at half-time was probably a bit better than we expected.

"With the quality we've got we know we can turn teams over, even on their own ground. To win at Lincoln by four goals is fantastic.

"Now we have bigger games against teams around us in the table but you don't get any more points for beating them.

"We've got to make sure we win to stop them pulling away in the table and if we turn MK Dons over and beat Rotherham then the table would start to look a lot better."

Today's game sees the culmination of the Darlington Supporters' Club initiative bring a friend on Boxing Day'.

The supporters' club have been encouraging fans to ask friends along to this afternoon's match in a bid to increase the size of not only today's crowd but also attendances at future home games.

Despite it being their most successful season for eight years and Dave Penney's side remaining unbeaten at home, average crowds are the lowest they have been in five seasons at the Arena.

Andy Smith, a supporters' club committee member, said: "Since the campaign was launched numerous fans have pledged to bring along more support to the game.

"It is hoped that many of those attending for the first time, or who have not attended games for some time, will enjoy the festive fixture and return to watch in the future."