Story by Kevin Luff - 17th March 2006

Darlington entertain Carlisle United this weekend in a game of significant importance to both sides. Following results last weekend and in midweek Darlington's play-off ambitions have been rekindled. However a positive result against Carlisle United is needed. Quakers boss David Hodgson knows that a win over Carlisle on Saturday would give the players and the fans a real buzz going into the remaining games.

"This game on Saturday will make us because I know that beating Carlisle will give us real buzz about ourselves going into the final games," said Hodgson. "The most ironic thing is that Bristol Rovers got beat, Macclesfield turned over Wrexham on Tuesday night and the results at the weekend all went for us. There is a little bit of luck floating around in the air at the moment and we need to jump up and grab it."

The visitors meanwhile sit at the summit of League two and at this late stage of the season will know that anything less than promotion, regardless of the rest of the season where they have come from, will be a major disappointment. With Wycombe level of points with the Blues they can't afford any slip ups either. Despite Carlisle's high placing in the league Hodgson feels that on their day his squad can more than compete with Paul Simpson's side.

"Carlisle are not top of the league for nothing," said Hodgson. "They have a great strike force and are strong at the back. In theory they have a complete unit. That's why they have got where they are. But we know on our day, player for player, we are as good as what they are. There is going to be around eight-thousand people in the ground I am led to believe. Haven't we prayed for that for a long time! Lets just make sure on this big occasion that this football club comes off the pitch with its supporters content."

Preparations for the game haven't been easy for Darlington. The cold weather has again made things difficult and forced loan signing Jermal Johnson to train with Blackburn Rovers for a period. However the forward will have had more time running up to this game with his new team mates than he for his debut. The youngster did well in his debut against Chester but could not find the net despite two excellent chances.

"Jermal Johnson probably feels he should have scored," said Hodgson. "But I said to him at the end of the game 'Jermal, what you've done today is get chances which we've never had before with your pace.' We normally have chances from balls bouncing down and from build up play. We've not had someone who had the ability to get away from people with pace and get shots off. Okay he missed chances but the good thing for me is that he did what we wanted him to do."

Darlington will be missing the service of Clark Keltie for this game as he starts a four game ban. Hodgson has hinted at the possibility that he may include youngster Mark McLeod in his place. Meanwhile David Duke will not figure after picking up an injury in the reserves' match at Lincoln City and Phil Stamp has also been ruled out. As always full post match interviews to follow on Quakers World in the evening after the game.

Last ten meetings

2005/06
League 2	Carlisle	1-1	Darlington	26-12-05
2003/04
Division 3	Carlisle	1-1	Darlington	28-12-03
Division 3	Darlington	2-0	Carlisle	06-09-03
2002/03
Division 3	Carlisle	2-2	Darlington	26-12-02
Division 3	Darlington	2-0	Carlisle	27-08-02
2001/02
Division 3	Carlisle	1-3	Darlington	05-02-02
Division 3	Darlington	2-2	Carlisle	08-09-01
2000/01
Division 3	Carlisle	0-2	Darlington	03-03-01
Division 3	Darlington	1-0	Carlisle	30-09-00
1999/00
Division 3	Carlisle	1-1	Darlington	29-04-00

Carlisle's last five games