Darlington must do better when they return to Southport for the second time in five weeks, and cannot say they don’t know what to expect this time around.

Quakers crumbled under an aerial bombardment at Haig Avenue when the teams met in the league on October 26, comprehensively losing 3-0.

The first two Port goals were headers following long throws by Doug Tharm, who was named man of the match by the hosts’ sponsors.

Darlington failed miserably to defend that night on Merseyside, and were similarly weak at the back on Tuesday in Lincolnshire with gaps enabling the Boston United to score twice inside the first six minutes.

Nonetheless, Alun Armstrong hopes his centre-halves will be able to deal with Southport’s direct approach in this weekend's FA Trophy second-round tie.

Jake Lawlor and Danny Ellis did not play last time at Haig Avenue, and the manager said: “We’ve got the Southport game coming up and we’ve got three centre-halves there who enjoy heading the ball.

“We’ll be able to deal with their style of play, hopefully, after what we’ve brought into the squad.

“It’ll be a case of telling them to do their job, and let the rest of the team go and play.

“We’re going to have some different personnel to deal with what’s going to be launched at us, and we still created chances in the first game despite us being poor.

“A lot of people said it was the last draw we wanted, but it’s a chance to right some wrongs.”

Armstrong’s decision to switch formation to 3-5-2 backfired on Tuesday, so he has a decision to make on whether to revert to a more conventional back-four and, if so, choose which of Jake Cooper, Ellis or Lawlor makes way.

He remains happy with the players as his disposal, saying: “Looking at this squad now compared to last season, or even the season before, it’s chalk and cheese.

“I’m a lot happier with the strength of the squad now, and keeping everybody happy, because they can’t all play, is going to be a hard task.

“But the lads need to understand there’s going to be times when we’ve got to change formation, I might pick different lads for different games.

“We might make selections decisions based on something we see tactically.

“As long as everyone buys into what we’re doing, that’s the main thing.”

Southport’s 3-0 win against Quakers has provided the platform for an improved run of results; they have risen from bottom of the table to 15th and are unbeaten in six matches, including four home victories.

Last season Quakers reached the quarter-finals of the Trophy, losing 2-1 at Blackwell Meadows to underdogs Hornchuch who went onto win the final at Wembley against Hereford.