DARLINGTON manager Alun Armstrong wants a third straight league win when Quakers face Bradford Park Avenue at Blackwell Meadows tonight.

Quakers have well and truly hit form away from home with four wins on their travels at Curzon Ashton, Swindon, Guiseley and Alfreton, but they’ve lost both completed home league games so far against Kidderminster and AFC Telford United.

But now Armstrong wants consistency and another good performance on the back of two away wins in four days at Guiseley and Alfreton to put them in exactly the right mood for their big match at League One Bristol Rovers in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday.

“Before we played Guiseley, I set the lads a target of having twelve points on the board before we went to Bristol, and now we’ve got nine,” said Armstrong. “There’s no reason why we can’t do that. We’re certainly good enough, and if we defend like we have in our last two away games, then we will achieve that target. Our defending has been much better since our last home game against Telford.

“We must keep this momentum going. I just hope that the Telford defeat was a blip. The first half was good that day, but the second half was very poor.
“The main thing is, that the lads responded. There is competition for places. Alex Storey is out of the squad, Ben Hedley is on the bench and they are keeping people at it on the pitch.

“Everyone knows that they must work hard on the pitch to keep their shirt. They must not take their foot off the gas and be more clinical.

“I’m trying to keep everyone happy, and everyone fit.”

Central defender Nicky Hunt will be missing tonight because of the head injury he sustained against Boston, and he is hoping to return to training on Thursday.

Striker Tyrone O’Neill will be involved at some point tonight, while another striker, Luke Charman, will return after an ankle injury.

Defender Michael Liddle and midfielder Omar Holness will both be missing, while skipper Will Hatfield and defender Tony McMahon will both have fitness tests.

Armstrong also decided to release striker Levi Amantchi, who had been with Quakers for a month and had made four substitute appearances.

Opponents Bradford PA started the season well, and ten days ago drew 4-4 at league leaders Gloucester City, but they lost two home games last week against Southport and Telford to drop to 16th in the table.

They will include former Darlington player Adam Nowakowski, who agreed to play for a £1 per week during the summer.