Story by Kevin Luff - 30th March 2007

Darlington head to Barnet this Saturday as they look to bounce back following the previous weekend's derby disappointment against Hartlepool United. Quakers slipped a place in the League Two table thanks to the midweek games and with matches running out the race the play-offs is set to become even more interesting. Shrewsbury Town's 3-0 thumping of Rochdale makes the need for three points even more pressing. This is a fact which has not escaped the attention of assistant manager Martin Gray.

Quakers have been dealt a number of injuries ahead of the game with Barnet. Clark Keltie is out with a broken hand. The skipper could be sidelined for as long as six weeks whilst defender Tim Ryan is out for a month with a knee injury. Goalkeeper Lee Jones is set to miss out on two weeks worth of football and winger Carlos Logan is absent until the end of the season. Despite these problems the Darlington assistant manager is not looking for anything other than three points on Saturday.

"There is no room for excuses. We've got seven games to go and we have to treat every game as a cup final," said Gray. "We've still got a great opportunity to make the play-offs. Apart from last weeks results everything has been falling into place with results at other clubs. They all have to play each other but really it's a mater of what we do. We have to go to Barnet this weekend, not for a point, but for three. It is as simple as that."

Prior to the game with leaders Hartlepool United last weekend Quakers have been unbeaten in the league since the turn of the year. Darlington will be looking to recapture that form once more as they prepare their final charge on the top seven. Darlington played well against rivals Pools during the first half and were unlucky to go in at the break behind.

Whilst Darlington are suffering injury woes realistically Clark Keltie is the only one who would have commanded a starting place at Underhill on Saturday. The biggest blow is set to be the departure of defender David Wheater. The Middlesbrough player is set to start his last game against Barnet but Gray refuses to be too downbeat. Whilst Gray acknowledges both players are important parts of the jigsaw he points out the current crop of injuries hand those on the fringes a superb chance.

"We have to take the positives out of Sunday's game and the players have responded brilliantly," said the Darlington number two. "We have watched the first forty-five minutes and that is the sort of performance we have to take to Barnet. We have injuries but at the end of the day we have to get on with it. We can't do anything about it apart from get them back fit as quick as possible. In the meantime it is a great opportunity for the likes of David Rowson. Micky Cummins is getting himself and it's a great chance for other players to stamp their mark on it."

Barnet defender Simon King is hoping to overcome a hamstring injury in time for the match whilst the Bees could also be without Andy Hessenthaler (calf) and forwards Liam Hatch and Jason Puncheon (both ankle). The match at Underhill kicks off at 3pm tomorrow.