DARLINGTON assistant manager Terry Mitchell admits that Quakers must put their home form right against Hereford tomorrow afternoon.

Darlington have won just once at home in the league all season – against Chester in November – and they desperately need the points to close the eight-point gap on fifth-bottom Banbury, whom they play on Tuesday.

“The aim on Saturday is to win our second home game of the season,” said Mitchell. "The lads are eager to get a game. We’ve got to change our home form – it’s one of the major things that we’ve got to do if we’re going to get out of the relegation zone.

“Our away form isn’t so bad, but 100 per cent we’ve got to get some wins on the home form.

“We believe that we can win any game – we have got to go into this game with that mentality. Yes, Hereford are in good form, but their away form has been a bit of a mixed bag.

“We’re ready for them, we’ve got to make sure that we get three points. We know plenty about them, and know all about what they do.”

But if Quakers are to do that, then they must improve on a goalscoring record which is the worst in the league. They have scored just 19 goals in total, six fewer than anybody else in National League North. Only Southport and Banbury have scored fewer goals than their twelve at home in the league – and three of those were against Chester.

“Since Steve and I have come in, we’ve focused on attacking in the final third and, in training, putting as much finishing practice as we can on, finishing and working on combination practices," said Mitchell. "Hopefully, that pays off.

“We’re definitely up for the game, and the players are right up for the fight.”

Quakers' management team are hoping to choose from a full squad, although defender Scott Barrow has been suffering from illness this week.

Striker Akwasi Asante will hopefully pass a fitness test on a groin injury, while midfielder Ben Liddle has a check on a calf issue. Defender Cardo Siddik was also included on Tuesday night after recovering from injury, so should be fine to face Hereford.

In terms of bringing in new signings, the club have made enquiries about several players this week. They have missed out on at least one target, and are awaiting answers on others.

Hereford are sixth in the table, but in midweek lost striker Tom Pugh, who was recalled by his parent club Scunthorpe United. They won the return game at Edgar Street in August thanks to a late penalty.

Meanwhile, Quakers have rearranged their away game with Curzon Ashton for Tuesday, February 27 but have yet to agree a new date for the Scunthorpe game which was postponed less than 20 minutes before kick-off on Tuesday because of a waterlogged pitch.