Darlington manager Martin Gray says that Stalybridge will provide a really tough test at Heritage Park on Saturday.

Quakers, in fourth place following the win at Bradford PA a week gone Wednesday, host Stalybridge who are third bottom of the table, but are showing signs of a revival under a new management team.

“We’ve had a really busy August and September. We’ve played twelve games, but now we’re really looking forward to the Stalybridge game.

“It takes a lot out of everyone. The Premier League has played four games in the same period. I’ve tried to protect our lads if I’m honest. They’ve got full time jobs, they travel to games on the days of games then some of them go on nightshift. If somebody had said to me that we would be one point off top in a new league , I would have taken their hands off.

“We’ve set the standards and it’s important that we keep the players focused on the next game. Stalybridge will be a real tough test. They’ve got a new management team, who’ll be looking to put their stamp on the team and they won in the FA Cup in midweek so they’ll be coming up here very confident.”

The one big piece of team news, as you have probably already read on this website, is that midfielder Josh Gillies has agreed a new long term contract at the club.

Stalybridge have won twice in the league this season, the last victory three league games ago against Gainsborough.

Stalybridge were able to progress in the FA Cup, as they beat Witton Albion 2-1 in a replay on Tuesday night. Their reward for victory is a trip to Halifax Town in the third qualifying round.

In their last league game they lost 3-1 away to Harrogate Town.

Last six matches:

September 20th FA Cup 2Q Witton Albion (home) won 2-1

September 17th FA Cup 2Q Witton Albion (away) drew 1-1

September 13th Harrogate Town (away) lost 1-3

September 10th Halifax Town (away) lost 0-1

September 6th Gainsborough (home) won 3-2

September 3rd Nuneaton (home) lost 0-4

Quakers and Stalybridge have met before, way back in the 1920s as founder members of the Football League Third Division North. There’s an interesting story about one of those games – read all about it in Saturday’s matchday programme.

Stalybridge were one of the founding member of the Conference North when the division was created in 2004 and they have remained in this league since.

Kick off on Saturday afternoon is 3:00pm, updates on the game will be made from the club's Facebook, Twitter, Mobile App and Website. Live Commentary will be broadcast from Darlo Fans Radio at 2:50pm .

The Darlo App and Darlo Fans Radio are sponsored by Tempest Jones