ANOTHER week, another away day for Darlington and this time they hope for a better outcome than they have managed so far this season.

For the third Saturday in succession Quakers are away and it is about time they returned north with three points.

Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Blyth Spartans made it ten points from 15 at Blackwell Meadows, but fans who follow the team away have seen their team win just one point on the road and Quakers are yet to keep a clean sheet.

The 1-1 draw with Altrincham a fortnight back is as good as it’s got, but it was followed by a 2-0 defeat seven days ago at King’s Lynn Town, who are now top of the table, and Saturday sees Quakers clock up more miles with a trip to play Gloucester City.

New signing Ben Hedley comes into contention having joined this week from Bradford (Park Avenue) and is able to play right-back and midfield, though Omar Holness has given Alun Armstrong plenty to ponder.

The midfielder did well as a substitute at right-back on Wednesday when he replaced David Atkinson, who, having jarred his ankle in the warm-up, was withdrawn for what was the third time in his fourth appearance since returning from injury.

“Omar came to me and said ‘look gaffer, I can play there no problem, I’ve done it before’,” explained the manager.

“I love the fact I’ve got a player there who just wants to play and was willing to sacrifice his normal position to get on the pitch, and he did brilliantly.

“There were a few defensive moments I wasn’t sure about, but he gave us what Luke Trotman does, he was overlapping and joining in further forward.

“Omar has given us a good problem instead of having to throw Ben in straight away.”

Armstrong is also boosted by the return of Michael Liddle to the squad after injury, and with Joe Wheatley now available having proved his fitness by playing the 90 minutes against Blyth suddenly the manager has a few more options at his disposal.

“It’s been a nightmare which is why we’ve got to give the lads full credit.

“We’ve got all them injuries and the two lads on international duty, I’ve had three academy players on the bench.

“I managed to sign Ben and I’m still trying to get another one, just short-term, to try and fill these gaps.”

Armstrong has been trying to bring in a striker, an alternative option to those already in the squad’s forward ranks, but his target has gone elsewhere.

“I’ve never stopped looking for players,” he added. “I’ve been on the phone to three different clubs about centre-forwards.

“On Wednesday I should’ve been concentrating on the game, but from getting up in the morning I was never off the phone trying to sort things out.

“I’ve got it do it properly through the board, like I always do, I keep in contact with them and make sure it’d done properly financially.”

Darlington’s injury issues meant teenagers Cameron Holliday and Brandon Morrison were named as substitutes for the first time on Wednesday, alongside Lucas Bell who has been a regular on the bench without making an appearance.

Osagi Bascome and Justin Donawa missed the match due to being on international duty with Bermuda, but they will return in time for next weekend’s home game with York City.

Unquestionably York will provide a sterner test than struggling Blyth, against whom Darlington deserved to win having overcome a lax start during which Spartans scored first.

Armstrong said: “I thought we started really slowly. Everyone was waiting for someone else to do something.

“Once the fans picked the noise up the players realised we were in a game and we thoroughly deserved the win.

“I don’t think Chris Elliott had many saves to make, and their keeper the ball was hitting him sometimes. I’m getting frustrated with our finishing.

“You could say some team is going to get a hiding one of these days, but you’ve got to put the ball in the net.”

Stephen Thompson did that alright, drilling home from 20 yards to score a stunning goal to give Darlington victory, while it was his lay-off that teed up Adam Campbell to score the first after a series of passes on Quakers’ right.

“I thought it was an outstanding goal if you look at the link-up play,” added Armstrong.

“It was the first time we picked up the tempo with the ball, and it was a great finish by Cams, but I was frustrated that we didn’t get another two or three after that.”

Saturday's match will be played in Worcestershire at Evesham United, where Gloucester have been based since the beginning of last season.

Since their own home was ruined by a flood in 2007 they have shared various grounds, including Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road where Darlington won 2-1 when the teams met early in the 2016-17 season with goals by Liam Hardy and Mark Beck.