Darlington are back on home soil for the first of two successive Saturdays and looking for a repeat of their previous two outings at Blackwell Meadows.

They beat Telford and Hereford seven days apart without conceding a goal, so aim for the same against Leamington today and Guiseley next weekend.

Between the two home fixtures is a trip to Southport on Tuesday, and Alun Armstrong said: “If we get seven to nine points from the next three games, that would do me.”

The manager’s biggest decision centres on whether to recall Jake Cooper following the conclusion of his three-match suspension.

His ban led to Danny Ellis joining and a partnership with Alex Storey had a good start with the aforementioned clean sheets versus Telford and Hereford.

Storey was in the line of fire earlier this season when Armstrong identified him as being at fault for some goals, while he was also dropped for a spell last season.

But the manager said: “I’m really pleased with Alex Storey. You look at him now and you see a different kid to the first four games of the season.

“He’s much-improved and confidence is better. There’s still little things we need to work on, but I’m so pleased for the kid because he took a lot of stick from me, from fans, from everyone. He’s stood up to be counted.

“He’s done brilliantly the last three games since Danny has come in, and what I want from him now is to take responsibility. I want him to do what Danny is doing and add that to his game.”

Armstrong added: “Coops is desperate to play and he did really well for us, apart from the mad moment against York, which we all know should’ve been a booking, not a sending off. Other than that, he was getting better and better.”

Seven days ago Quakers were unfortunate not to take at least a point from their trip to Chorley, losing 2-1 and ruing some missed chances.

“The chances we created we should’ve put away,” reflected Armstrong, who plans to return to the dugout for the first time since undergoing emergency hernia surgery.

“Jarrett Rivers’ was the main one, he took a second touch that allowed the goalkeeper to close him down, and then Kevin Dos Santos’ chance – the goal was wide open for him on the left.

“It was frustrating and even their manager admitted we had been the better team.”

“The first half wasn’t brilliant football-wise for 20 minutes, but second half the effort we put in I couldn’t fault them. We’ll play a lot worse and win.”

Leamington are 13th, level on points with Quakers, and have not won any of their last five games in league and cup.