DELIGHTED Darlington manager Dave Penney believes home support helped push Quakers towards Saturday's first leg win over Rochdale.

An attendance of 8,057 was the biggest crowd of the season and the third highest ever to attend a match at the Arena.

Around 2,500 visiting supporters were left stunned while jubilant Darlington fans greeted Ian Miller's injury time goal that handed Penney's side a 2-1 first leg lead.

"When we play at home in front of a big crowd and they get behind us like they did it's a totally different atmosphere," said Penney.

"The more games we can have like that, with a good atmosphere and with the supporters behind us, the better the team plays, it's as simple as that.

"If it's a poor crowd and they are not behind us then you fancy the opposition to win, so it was great that all the fans were behind us and they created an excellent atmosphere."

Darlington's injury problems continued on Saturday with three players leaving the field with knocks.

Tommy Wright won't play Rochdale this weekend while the conditions of defenders Ben Parker and Alan White will be assessed today.

"The three substitutions we made were all down to injuries,"

said Penney.

"Whitey's got a dead leg, Tommy got a bang on his knee and Ben's got a hamstring. We'll have a look at them on Monday to see how they are.

"It's been one of them seasons.

You could see today David Stockdale's kicking wasn't as good as it usually is because he's had some injections in his foot so that he could play."

Penney dismissed suggestions that Pawel Abbott could be nearing a surprise comeback.

A fortnight ago the striker suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury but before Saturday's game was put through his paces on the Arena pitch.

However, Penney said: "I don't think Pawel be back. It was five weeks before we fetched him back last time and we're only two weeks into his recovery now. I've written him off for the rest of the season.'

9:09am Monday 12th May 2008

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