QUAKERS FACE HIGH-FLYING HATTERS

By Martin Walker

Craig Liddle’s Darlington face promotion-chasing Luton Town at the Northern Echo Arena tonight.

The Hatters are currently third in the Blue Square Bet Premier League and in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.

They lost their first leg 1-0 at York at the weekend and play the return tie at Kenilworth Road this Saturday.

But Liddle insists the Trophy will be no distraction for Gary Brabin’s side.

“I’m sure they’ll be hoping to go one better this year after losing at the same stage against Mansfield last season,” said Liddle, in his match programme notes for tonight’s game.

“But they’re also third in the table, so far from being distracted from their big second leg tie on Saturday, they’ll be coming here tonight hungry for a win.

“Automatic promotion is probably out of reach for them now, but they’ll be disappointed if they don’t make the play-offs now and they’ll be looking to win it this season after their final disappointment against Wimbledon.

“But we’re looking to get our season back on track with victory tonight.

“Now we’re in the bottom four, I’m actually hoping that will have a positive effect on us.

“We might now wake up and realise we have got to scrap and fight for everything.

“We’re more than capable of staying up. I expected us to win our last game, against Stockport, but it wasn’t to be.

“But I thought our new lads did well. It was Wainy’s first game for a long, long time and he’ll get better and improve.

“Drewe Broughton hasn’t played at this level for a long time so he’s going to get better and improve.

“They’ve both had a couple of weeks’ training with us now, so hopefully they’ll both push on and play a big part in our survival bid.”

Kick-off at the Arena tonight is 7.45pm.