Story by Kevin Luff - 17th November 2006

Darlington head to Sincil Bank this weekend as they look to continue this good run of form which has seen them win their last three games in a row. As the fixtures have panned out however Quakers have only once in the league under their new manager Dave Penney - the other two wins coming in cup competitions.

Despite the lack of league games Penney has still made a good start to life in the Darlington hotseat. Quakers are currently sat in tenth place in League Two. Penney's team are only four points off the play-offs and whilst the Darlington boss is obviously keen to close the gap he says assessing performances is still his number one priority.

"It is fate if you like. Two different cups and a league game but the players have won all of them. Two of them have been away games but they all even themselves out as the season goes on. It is nice to get back to the league and try to get some points on the board," said Penney. "We dropped back down to tenth after playing Friday night with the other teams playing their game in hand. At this stage in time it is more important for me to see these players. Keep picking points up but it is more important for me to see if the players can play at this level week in week out."

Lincoln have been the perennial bridesmaids for the last few seasons - achieving high place finishes but unable to find the last gasp push to clinch the promotion few would begrudge them after their solid league performance. This campaign may well be different. The Imps find themselves in second place in the division. An excellent October has been largely to thank for this with the club rising from the top edge of the play-offs and into the automatic spot.

Since the departure of Keith Alexander and the arrival of head coach John Schofied Lincoln have reverted back to a slightly less neck straining version of football with every report indicating the Imps prefer to keep the ball on the floor. Penney is refusing to worry about the opposition and has told his squad that this games, along with the others in League Two, will go a long way to telling him what he needs to know.

"I've told the players the next three games are against top six opposition so it is great for me as a manager to see if we are good enough as a squad and they are good enough individually to get to where we want to be," said Penney. "They've changed the way they play. They play it from the back a little bit more instead of being direct. It looks like the players are enjoying the change of style. They've been excellent at home and had an excellent season so far. It won't be easy going there but like I say it will show me where we at as players and a club."

Quakers have a few concerns going into the game but appear unlikely to make too many changes. Defender Matthew Clarke should be set for a recall after being forced to miss the Lewes FA Cup tie. Meanwhile Darlington will be without Gaetano Giallanza as the forward heads to Switzerland to seek advice on a knee injury. Finally Julian Joachim appears unlikely to figure in this game as well.