Set up the only goal against Orient

Darlington face one of their toughest trips of the season yet both in terms of the opposition waiting for them and the amount of ground to cover. Swansea offers Darlington one of the longest trips of the season and to fans at very least the fixture that awaits at the other end is hardly appealing.

The Vetch has never been a happy hunting ground for Quakers and least of all its fans. The facilities in comparison to what Darlington fans are used too are somewhat lacking to say the least. All that is set to change when Swansea move to an all new ground next season. As a result this will be the final chance for Darlington fans to savour the delights of the Vetch.

One thing Darlington fans will be looking to see lost during the move from the Vetch to the Jacks new home is their horrible away form at the venue. Indeed some of us have never even see Darlington score there let alone pick up a point! The last time Darlington got a point was when Robbie Blake was scoring the equaliser in the late nineties. You have to go even further back to see Quakers record an away win. With all this in mind you might forgive the hardy souls travelling to the game on Saturday for not jumping up and down with excitement at the prospect of the match.

If Darlington are to add to their last away win from the late seventies they will certainly have to firm up at the back. The last two games have seen defensive mistakes litter Quakers' play and while the final twenty minutes at County during the week saw a distinct improvement for the point Darlington will need to do much better. Especially with Swansea on a roll and top of the table after their result over Leyton Orient.

Swansea regained their top spot following a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient in midweek. Whilst the Jacks are top they have rarely won a game by more than one goal. If Quakers can rediscover their defensive form from earlier in the season there is every chance they could get something. Speaking on the club's official website Swansea's manager knows that this is a clear indication of just how tough this division is.

"The games we've been in have been nip and tuck," said Jackett. "We haven't been in a situation to win by more than a goal, but that's a reflection of how tight the league is. You have to set standards to get better and there is improvement to come in this side. It's fantastic to be top again and it's a feeling I want to get used to, so that has to be our aim now. I think there are a number of sides in the division who are capable of stretching the division out - it's still tight now but it's still in its infancy really. It's going to take the sort of determination we showed against Orient to do that, plus some improved play. I would like us to go on to the next stage and dominate a few games now. But what is crucial is that we remain at 100 per cent in every match we play, because if you come down even five or 10 per cent in this league the division will catch you up."

Darlington's official website will of course be travelling down to the match and bring you a full match report on Sunday at some point. To those hardy people travelling down we wish you a safe a trip.

Swansea's last five games