DARLINGTON manager Alun Armstrong says that Quakers will be taking today’s FA Trophy tie against Alfreton seriously.

Quakers are right in the thick of the promotion fight in fourth place, but there’s no chance of Armstrong taking his foot off the pedal for this competition, which Quakers memorably won in 2011.

“This is a competition I want to do well in, I know how much it means to Darlington fans,” he said.

“It still bugs me that we lost to Hornchurch in the quarter-final two seasons ago. That was a great opportunity for us to reach Wembley that season, but we lost at Blackwell Meadows.

"We should have won that game with all the chances that we had. Hornchurch went on to win at Wembley when they beat Hereford from our division, why couldn’t it have been us?

“This competition offers a great chance for clubs from below the National League to do well. Brackley won it five years ago, Hornchurch and Hereford reached the final two years ago, Concord Rangers got there three seasons ago. The National League teams tend to think about play-offs or avoiding relegation.

“So as long as a Trophy run doesn’t interfere too much with the league later in the season, then we’re going for it.

"I’m trying to win every game. We’re only five games from Wembley, and reaching there is something you want to do as a player and a manager.”

The two clubs already know plenty about each other, having met just 11 days ago in the league at Blackwell Meadows when Quakers won 3-1.

“Alfreton will be a really tough, physical battle," added Armstrong. "Billy Heath, their manager, will have his team fired up again and we must be ready to match that just as we did in the league game. There’s no reason why the lads can’t go into the game really confident.”

Amongst the goals against Alfreton was Joe Leesley, whose impressive seven-match loan spell ended in midweek, and he returned to Boston, who in turn have now agreed a transfer with another club to Quakers’ disappointment.

“Joe wanted to come back to us and we looked to extend the loan, but Boston told us that they wanted a permanent transfer and a fee, which was something we couldn’t do," explained Armstrong.

“It’s gutting to lose Joe, because he loved it here and he wanted to get out of Boston.

“But he was offered a fantastic deal by another club, and at the end of the day he’s got to look after himself.

“We really wanted him because he was a massive player being able to play in multiple positions, and he brought professionalism to the team.”

Also missing today are defenders Kallum Griffiths and David Wheater who are both close to full fitness again, while striker Junior Mondal is cup-tied having already played in this season's Trophy for Marske. Defender Dan Dodds is also hoping to have recovered from a hamstring injury.

Today’s game will be decided on the day. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, then the teams will go straight to penalties.

The draw for the next round will be made on Tuesday afternoon.