Darlington take on Chesterfield knowing that a win can open up a four point gap between themselves and a fellow promotion chasing side. Quakers are currently a point and a place ahead of the Spireites but the visitors boast a good away record. Chesterfield have lost only once on the travels so far this season but manager Lee Richardson wants his team to do more at the back.

"We really need to be much meaner defensively and we have only managed three clean sheets out of twelve so far in the league," he said. "We know we can score goals and trouble defences and on reflection from last weekend the goal we conceded was disappointing but we really should have scored a hatful. I think it was as well as we have played apart from the finishing against Dagenham & Redbridge so we go into the game against one of the better teams in the division in good shape."

Darlington's defence on the other hand is one of the best in the Football League. Steve Foster and Alan White have formed a remarkable partnership in the centre which has seen Quakers concede only five goals all season. Dave Penney however is missing some key players through injury and suspension. Pawel Abbott continues to be sidelined with a knee injury whilst fellow striker Tommy Wright is out thanks to a suspension. Elsewhere Tim Ryan is likely to miss out along with Julian Joachim.

The problems up front mean that Gregg Blundell should get a chance along with Matt Green who is on loan from Cardiff City. Darlington looked solid under pressure at Bradford City last week and a similar performance at the back would give the hosts every chance of taking something from the game.

"Neil Austin came back last week. That was a bonus but then Tim Ryan dropped out and Julian Joachim dropped out. Pawel Abbott is still struggling with his knee and Tommy Wright is suspended but David Stockdale and Kevin McBride both played ninety-minutes in the reserves so you lose one and you get another back. That's why we have a big squad, it gives people a chance to come in and show us what they can do," said Penney.

"I have no qualms about playing Gregg Blundell and Matt Green up front. They are certainly more than a handful for most defences. Even if you don't play well, which we didn't at Bradford, we know we can dig in. We know we can grind out a result and there is always goals in us. If we can keep it tight at the back like we have been doing then we've always got a chance of getting something at the other end. We are going in the right direction and we just need to keep building on it."

Whilst Darlington will undoubtedly be looking for a win the most important thing is to continue picking up points on a regular basis. "It would be nice if we were sat here at 5pm on Saturday and we were four points clear of them. That would be great but it will be tough and they have some good players. Jack Lester is the one which sticks out so we will have to keep an eye on him."

"It is nice to be picking points up. There is only one game so far where we haven't done that so it is good going. We have done ever so well and we just need to keep that going. If we keep picking points up they will start to add up come the end of the season," Penney pointed out.