PLAYING against another play-off contender could work in Darlington’s favour, believes manager Martin Gray, as Quakers prepare to face Mossley tomorrow.

Mossley arrive at Heritage Park tomorrow one place outside the play-off zone and knowing they need a win if they are to stand a chance of narrowing the six-point gap on fifth-placed Bamber Bridge.

Following three wins in as many games against Northwich Victoria, Droylsden and Scarborough Athletic – all top-ten teams - tomorrow’s opposition represent Darlington’s latest tough test in their bid to win each of their remaining matches in order to achieve automatic promotion.

“They’re having a good end to the season and they’ve got a chance of reaching the play-offs,” said Gray, whose team is locked in a head-to-head battle with Salford City for first position.

“They’ll have to get something out of the game, we know they will come at us so we’re going to have to be prepared for that, but we’ve had them watched home and away so we know what they’re about.”

Darlington defeated Mossley 3-0 in November, but they have gradually moved up the table due to an improvement in form since the turn of the year.

They have lost only three of their 17 league matches since January 1, though Darlington will be hoping to continue their good run against the Tameside team having made it three wins out of three since the beginning of last season with a 3-0 victory when the teams met at Seel Park in November.

Gray says that Terry Galbraith will be available tomorrow, the versatile player returning to the squad having missed Easter Monday’s victory at Scarborough Athletic due to illness.

Meanwhile, Darlington have announced that there will be restricted access to the bar at Heritage Park tomorrow due to high demand for hospitality.

Both tomorrow’s matches and the fixture with New Mills on April 25 will see restricted access to comply with licensing regulations.

However, an outside bar area shall be in place, a gazebo located between the toilet block and the covered standing area, which will serve cans of John Smiths & Fosters (at £2.50) and soft drinks (£1).