Darlington manager Alun Armstrong hopes some of the fabled Blyth spirit can rub off on his side today.

Quakers go to Trafford in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup today.

Armstrong moved to Darlington from Blyth in the summer, a club with some real non-league FA Cup pedigree.

He said: “Last year when I was at Blyth, I wanted an FA Cup run to get some money into the coffers, and we got to the fourth qualifying round. It’s no different here – Darlington have been unfortunate with their FA Cup runs in recent years, but we must make sure that changes and hopefully get some funds in to help us strengthen the squad.

“Everyone says that they want an FA Cup run, but you need that little bit of luck to go with it. I spoke to some of the lads who had a great run with Blyth five years ago, and they said that they won games that they shouldn’t have because they were a bit lucky.

“We’ve had enough bad luck recently, and hopefully we’ll have some good luck for a change. If we keep working as hard as we can, then it will turn.”

Wideman Jarrett Rivers scored the winner for Blyth to put Hartlepool United out of the competition at Victoria Park in front of the BBC cameras four seasons ago, while midfielder Will Hatfield scored the first goal in Guiseley’s 4-3 win against Cambridge United live on television last season.

He also scored four in an FA Cup tie for Accrington Stanley against Fylde and said: “That was the highlight of my career so far, as well as scoring against Cambridge. If I can repeat some of that success, then it would be great. Now, I want to win on Saturday and in the next couple of rounds as well.”

Quakers have collected only one point in five away league games this season, a 1-1 draw at Altrincham. Armstrong has told his players that they can’t let standards slip against Trafford from two divisions below if they are to progress in the competition for the first time in five years.

“We’ve got to be at our best,” said Armstrong, who took Blyth to the final qualifying round last season. “We have to get our concentration going, ensure that we stop our silly mistakes, and we’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net – simple as that.

“I’ve been there myself as a player when you’re up against teams above and you give an extra 10 or 15 per cent to really have a go.

“Some of the play that we’ve been doing has been really good, but there have been times in both boxes when we haven’t been so good. Our performances have been very up and down, but that’s because we’re having to change the team constantly because of injuries.

“I want to keep working with the lads at the club, I’ve got enough belief in them. They’re good quality footballers, and they will click. If we score the first goal, then we see a totally different team. We’ve got to make sure that we get our noses in front.’’

Striker Tyrone O’Neill will return to the starting line-up after recovering from a head injury, and his parent club Middlesbrough have granted permission for him to play.

“We’re grateful to Middlesbrough,’’ said Armstrong. “We want to get him and Adam Campbell on the scoresheet. He’s been a miss, because he has great presence, holds the ball up well – all he has to do for his game is to add a few more goals.”

Right back Michael Liddle starts, but there are doubts over central defender Louis Laing, who limped out of the York game last week with a hamstring problem.

Defender David Atkinson is going to be missing for several weeks because of a knee injury and is due to see a specialist.

Trafford play in the BetVictor North West League and have already won twice at Shawe View in the competition, against Burscough and Bamber Bridge.