The Quakers

Darlington's 1-0 victory at Wycombe last weekend kept alive their chances of making the play offs but they will require a mathematical miracle to catch seventh place Lincoln. The Imps are three points ahead of Darlington and also have a better goal difference of six and for the Quakers to take the last play off spot, they will require a heavy win over Wrexham and Lincoln to suffer a heavy defeat at home to Rochdale along with Peterborough not defeating Wycombe at home.

Darlington's home form has let them down this season with only ten victories recorded on home soil, although they have drawn six games at the TFM Arena. In recent games they have only recorded two home victories in their last five games and this has resulted in the last play off position realistically slipping out of reach.

Darlington have one of the better defensive records in the league but in front of goal their top goal scorer is still Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu and he left the club to in January to join Cardiff City in the Championship. The former Sheffield Wednesday striker had scored 11 goals in twelve starts this season for the Quakers and their next top scorer is Simon Johnson who has found the back of the net ten times this season.

Wrexham will face their former winger Neil Wainwright who has been with the Quakers since 2001 after his move to Sunderland did not work out. Wainwright left Wrexham after only playing a dozen games in a £100,000 move to the Stadium of Light but after only making three league cup appearances in as many seasons, the winger moved to Darlington in a £50,000 move. In his five seasons so far, Wainwright is approaching 200 appearances for the Quakers with a return of 21 goals including three this season.

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Oct 05: Wrexham 1 Darlington 0

Feb 03: Wrexham 0 Darlington 0

Nov 02: Wrexham 0 Darlington 2

Sep 02: Darlington 0 Wrexham 1

Apr 93: Wrexham 1 Darlington 1

It took a controversial last minute penalty for Wrexham to separate the sides when they met at the Racecourse in October.  Lee McEvilly kept his cool to despatch the spot kick away to give Wrexham a 1-0 victory.

The two teams last met prior to this when Wrexham were in the basement league three seasons ago along with a match in the FA Cup. Honours were shared with each team winning once and there was a goalless draw at the Racecourse in the league. Wrexham won the first encounter courtesy of an first half goal from Andy Morrell but Darlington got their revenge winning 2-0 at the Racecourse in the FA Cup courtesy of two second half goals. Prior to this the last time the teams met was in the 1992/93 season.

Wrexham just edge the head-to-head with 33 victories to Doncaster's 32. There have also been 24 draws in the 89 games played between the sides.

Form Guide

Darlington's win at Wycombe last weekend kept alive their play off hopes but two defeats in their last two home games has not helped their cause to extend their season. The Quakers returned from Torquay with all three points in a 2-1 win only to record a 1-0 reverse at home to promoted Northampton. A point at fellow play off contenders Cheltenham was a good return only to be followed up with a 3-2 reverse at home to relegation threatened Bury. The Quakers were leading 2-1 until the last five minutes before the Shakers struck back to equalise and then take all three points with a 90th minute winner.

Bookies View

Darlington are odds on favourites with Stan James offering the best price on the home win at 10/11. The draw is priced at 12/5 with VC Bet, Sporting Odds, Corals, Paddy Power, Bet 365 and Tote Sport with the Wrexham win on offer at 7/2 with Ladbrokes.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: With Denis Lawrence released to prepare for the World Cup and Mark Jones facing surgery, Denis Smith is likely to make room for teenager Matt Done by switching to a 4-4-2 formation. With Jim Whitley, Lee McEvilly, Dave Bayliss and Levi Mackin also unavailable, Denis Smith has added teenagers Marc Williams, Gareth Evans and Andrew Fleming to the travelling party.

Michael Jones or Michael Ingham will contest the keeper's position with Wrexham likely to start with the team played well in the second half against Oxford last week. That will mean Shaun Pejic and Mike Williams will be at centre backs with Lee Roche and Andy Holt playing as full backs. Two out of Darren Ferguson, Danny Williams and Matt Crowell will start in midfield with Dean Bennett and Matt Done providing the width for the front two of Jon Walters and Matt Derbyshire.

Wrexham Squad (17): Ingham, Michael Jones, Roche, Pejic, Mike Williams, Holt, Bennett, Danny Williams, Crowell, Done, Walters, Derbyshire, Spender, Ferguson, Evans, Marc Williams, Fleming.

Darlington Team News: Darlington are with out the suspended Matt Clarke and Matty Applebly with on loan Jemal Johnson also likely to miss out.

Officials: The match referee is Kevin Friend from Leicestershire and he is assisted by K Lawson and M Oliver with D Storrie as the fourth official. Kevin Friend has refereed 20 games this season, sending off 2 players and booking 44 at an average of 2.2 per game.

Venue Guide

Address: 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena, Neasham Road, Darlington, DL2 1DL.

Telephone Number: 01325 387000

Fax Number: 01325 387030

Darlington Websites

• Official Web Site
• Darlo Uncovered
• DAFTS
• Darlo Trust
• The Tin Shed (message board)

How to get there?

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Darlington and is over a mile and a half from the ground but there is a taxi rank outside. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

Beer and Grub: As the new ground is on the outskirts of the town, there are not many options to choose from. There is a bar at the ground called Bar 66, which admits away fans, but can get very crowded. The nearest pub is called Copper Beach Road on Newsham Road, which is a ten minute walk from the ground towards the town centre. If your prefer a bite to eat them you can try the Tawny Owl on the opposite side of the A66. Otherwise try the town centre but you can get alcohol inside of the ground.

Cash Machines: The cash machine at the ground charges £1.50. The nearest free one is at the Morrisons store on North Street.

How much to get in?

Disabled Facilities

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Other Games

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Darlington v Wrexham
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Peterborough v Wycombe
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Stockport v Carlisle
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