Quakers take on Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium tomorrow as they look to start October in better shape than they finished September. Dave Hodgson's men failed to record a win during month number nine of 2005 but will be looking to put that to the back of their minds as they shape up for the Cobblers on Saturday afternoon.

Going into the game assistant manager Mark Proctor has admitted that he was impressed with what he saw of Northampton last season during the side's two meetings and thinks they will be there or there about come the end of the season - along with Quakers. Unlike several other teams who Darlington have come across in recent weeks Northampton are unlikely to sit back. Hopefully this will allow the visitors to find space behind their defence and inflict some damage.

"It'll be a game that we are not favourites to win, which is probably the first game for quite a while," admitted Proctor on Quakers World. "Obviously they were pre-season favourites and have spent quite heavily during the summer and I am sure they'll be looking to bring the game to us which will be different as we've always had teams sit back. It will be a slightly different scenario tomorrow."

Darlington have found goals hard to come by over the last few games or so and with Akpo Sodje unavailable due to injury the spotlight has now moved over to Clyde Wijnhard who could in line for a recall after being involved as a sub against Boston United.

"Clyde was having a quite spell prior to him getting left out and people have come in and grabbed the opportunity - Sodje got a hat-trick and Guy was shaping up the same as he was coming off the bench and got two or three valuable goals for us," said Proctor. "Unfortunately when he has started the last two games he hasn't quite been the same player for whatever reason. Now it's a kind of role reversal and because of that situation Clyde has come back to the forefront of our minds."

With injuries to contend with as well as poor form Darlington could well shuffle the pack somewhat for this outing and whilst Proctor is keen to keep details of personnel and system under wraps he says that they do have something planned for the fixture.

Proctor said: "We have spoken to a few people who have watched them over the last week or two. They play 4-4-2 at home and we have something up our sleeves for tomorrow which is slightly different to what we've seen so far. Nothing drastic but a few alterations here and there."

Darlington are only three points behind Northampton Town in the table despite Quakers having had a poor month. However September has been a far from rosy month for the Cobblers as well. They have only won twice and both of these victories have come away from the Sixfields Stadium where they have been unable to beat bottom of the table Bury and Cheltenham Town.

Ahead of the game Northampton face a few injury problems. Petr Mikolanda is set to miss the game with an ankle injury. The on-loan West Ham forward sat out the 3-1 win over Rushden & Diamonds in midweek and is still struggling. Defender Sean Dyche faces a late fitness test on the hamstring injury that kept him out of the same game. Meanwhile forward Martin Smith is unlikely to be risked despite coming through a full match for the reserves, as Colin Calderwood does not want to rush him back. Also sidelined are Andy Kirk, Fred Murray and Ashley Westwood. For all those travelling down on Saturday have a safe trip and remember that Quakers World is available for those not able to make it to the Sixfields Stadium.

Last ten meetings

2004/05
League 2	N'hampton	1-1	Darlington	15-01-05
League 2	Darlington	1-1	N'hampton	18-09-04
2003/04
Division 3	Darlington	1-2	N'hampton	17-02-04
Division 3	N'hampton	1-0	Darlington	22-08-03
1999/00
Division 3	Darlington	0-1	N'hampton	15-04-00
Division 3	N'hampton	0-3	Darlington	28-12-99
1996/97
Division 3	Darlington	3-1	N'hampton	30-11-96
Division 3	N'hampton	3-1	Darlington	26-10-96
1995/96
Division 3	N'hampton	1-1	Darlington	10-02-96
Division 3	Darlington	1-2	N'hampton	06-01-96

Northampton's last five games