Darlington are hoping for a much better performance at Ashton’s Hurst Cross on Monday.

Saturday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Altrincham left us 17th in the league table one place behind Ashton.

So far this season our hosts have picked up six points from their six games. On Saturday they threw away a 2-0 lead at Southport to draw 2-2 and are like ourselves yet to win at home from three games.

Our only two meetings came back in the Evo-Stik Premier three years ago. We won away from home 2-1 before drawing 1-1 at Heritage Park.

Ashton have been promotion contenders for several seasons in the Evo-Stik Premier before securing their place in the National North in May with a playoff victory against Grantham Town.

The game will be covered on the club's official Twitter, Website, Facebook and of course by Darlo Fans Radio. Coverage begins around 2:45. 

Team news:

Joe Wheatley is serving the second of his three match suspension, while Terry Galbraith, Dom Collins and Alex Henshall are all missing because of injury. Simon Ainge will probably play in defence alongside Jonny Burn.

Form guide

Darlington:

League position 17^th

Away form: Played 3, won 1, drawn 1 lost 1 goals for 8, goals against 9

Darlington last six matches:

August 25^th Altrincham (home) lost 0-3

Team: Maddison, Trotman, Burn, Galbraith (sub Collins 14, sub Saunders 46), O’Hanlon, Hughes (sub Syers 59), Elliott, Nicholson, Thompson, Ainge, Styche

Subs: Dunn, Glover

August 18^th Kidderminster (away) lost 2-5 Ainge, Nicholson

August 15^th Blyth Spartans (home) drew 1-1 Styche

August 11^th Brackley (away) won 4-2 Styche 3, Ainge

August 7^th Spennymoor (away) drew 2-2 Styche, Thompson

August 4^th Curzon Ashton (home) lost 1-2 Ainge

Leading scorers: Reece Styche 5, Simon Ainge 3

Ashton United:

League position: 16^th

Home form: Played 3, drawn 1 lost 2, goals for 1, goals against 7

Ashton United’s last six matches:

August 25^th Southport (away) drew 2-2 Chadwick, Hobson

August 18^th Brackley (home) lost 1-5 Hobson

August 14^th York City (home) lost 0-2

August 11^th Kidderminster (away) drew 3-3 Chadwick, Regan, Evangelinos

August 7^th FC United (away) won 4-3 Chadwick, Tomsett, Evangelinos, McHale

August 4^th Nuneaton (home) drew 0-0

Leading scorer: Matthew Chadwick 3

Ground address;

Hurst Cross, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. OL6 8DY. Please note that parking is at a premium near the ground.

Programmes are £2

Admission charges 2018-2019 Vanarama League North and all cup matches;

Adults; £12, Concessions (over 65/under 16*) £8 (Accompanied U-12 £3)