Having this week finally notched up their first win of the season, Darlington aim to make it a league and cup double this weekend.

They go into Saturday's FA Cup tie at home to Chester with a much more positive mindset than they had seven days ago, since when they’ve earned their first four points of the season.

Quakers caused an upset on Tuesday in the National League North, beating the previously unbeaten Brackley Town 3-1 and earning three points at the fifth time of asking.

Though the hosts had a man sent off, it was a fully-deserved and morale-boosting victory that moved Alun Armstrong’s team from the foot of the embryonic league table to 17th, one place beneath today’s opposition Chester.

They meet this afternoon at Blackwell Meadows in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, a competition in which Darlington have enjoyed runs in each of the past two seasons, but their supporters missed out last year when Armstrong’s side won at Swindon Town, who were then in League One.

“Let’s hope we can have another cup run,” said Armstrong. “It was such a shame they missed out last year and weren’t at Swindon. The fans would’ve helped us massively, in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

“We’ve been fortunate with the draws the last couple of years, everyone knows that, but this is a different kettle of fish.

“Chester haven’t had a great start, like ourselves, but everyone knows what they’ll be like. Without a doubt it’ll be physical, they’re always tough games.

“Mind, I remember at Blyth one year we beat them 8-1! That was unbelievable.”

Chester have one more point than Darlington and their supporters have been dismayed by their team, managed by ex-Salford duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, which has conceded 15 goals in six games.

Darlington fans have been similarly frustrated by poor results, but there were signs of improvement seven days ago when Quakers picked up their first point by recovering from being 2-0 down at Blyth Spartans before beating Brackley in midweek.

Armstrong said: “The lads are buzzing after Tuesday, but I was really pleased with them after the second half on Saturday. They did exactly what we wanted.

“I’ve looked at every game we’ve played and we could’ve got something out of all of them – we haven’t been outplayed by anyone, we’ve just been giving goals away.

“Alfreton’s winner looked offside, the Curzon keeper pulled off a worldy save from Will when we were well on top in the second half, in the Bradford game Will had a great chance and hit it straight at Johnny Saltmer. Johnny had a couple of other saves, and it always seems to be the case when former players come back.

“Every game we should’ve got something, it’s the mistakes that have cost us.

“The lads should have the confidence now from winning a game and will kick on from that. Hopefully the last couple of performances have given the fans a lift and they’ll get behind the lads.”

New signings Jack Lambert and Omar Sanyang have signed non-contract terms and will be involved - both played at Blackwell Meadows in Wednesday’s 8-2 win against Shotton Colliery in the Durham Challenge Cup.

On-loan Jake Cooper slotted in at the centre of defence against Blyth and has been given permission by Rotherham United to play in the FA Cup.