Story by Kevin Luff - 23rd February 2007

Quakers look to add further weight to their promotion hopes with three points at bottom of the table Torquay United. The Gulls have struggled all season but received a boost earlier in the week when Chris Roberts stepped down as chairman of the club. Torquay have since appoints Keith Richardson, a local businessman, to be chairman of the club for the next two years and despite incorrect news that staff were being made redundant following Roberts' departure it is business as usual for the Gulls.

Torquay have appointed former Mansfield Town manager Keith Curle but his presence has failed to lift the strugglers yet. Torquay are without a win in their last five matches and have won just one league game in their last twenty. The result of which is Torquay being seven points adrift of the relegation zone. Recent games against Hartlepool United and Rochdale however have seen the Gulls perform better and manager Dave Penney knows that despite their lowly position this will be a tough test for his side.

"Players don't want to drop into the conference that's for sure," said Penney. "They came up when Doncaster went up and then went down. They managed to stay in the division last year but they've got another battle on their hands. It is not going to be easy. The pitch isn't too clever down there but by all accounts they gave it a real good go against Hartlepool. They are supposed to be playing very well. It will not be an easy trip."

Torquay's plight is not helped by a lack of goals. The South Devon side have scored only once in their last five games. The results of late feels Curle have been undeserved and he admits that there is little more his team can do at present to turn the situation around for the better. Despite the improvement in performances time is running out for Torquay and they will come up against a Darlington side who are unbeaten in nine games following their midweek result over Accrington Stanley.

"You've seen in this performance, and the one against Hartlepool last Saturday, that there's still a massive belief and determination to try and turn this season around in the closing stages. If you are going to lose, you lose this way - going down fighting," said Curle. "A few weeks ago, there was a quote made that we weren't fit enough. But it's a different team out there now. I feel sorry for the players, because they don't deserve these last two results. We can't get any more out of this team - they are putting every ounce of energy into it. But we're just screaming for a goal."

Torquay's Matt Villis does not appear likely to be involved in Saturday's match. Meanwhile Craig Taylor, who has suffered tendonitis, will return to training on ahead of the match whilst Rossi Jarvis who has sustained a back injury in training has returned to Norwich for scans. Finally Steve Woods is still recovering from his knee surgery and will play no part in the game.

Darlington meanwhile will be without Sam Russell due to a thigh strain whilst Patrick Collins is suffering from illness. Evan Horwood could figure for Quakers but will face a fitness test ahead of the game. Kevin Burgess, Carlos Logan and Craig James will all travel as Darlington look to cover the possibility of Martin Smith not featuring along with Horwood.