In-form Darlington look for win number nine (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

In-form Darlington look for win number nine

8:00am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Football By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor

Darlington go into this evening's home game with South Shields in top form having won their past eight matches, scoring 31 goals in the process.

But manager Martin Gray was not 100 per cent satisfied with Saturday's 7-1 victory at Billingham Town as the hosts were allowed a consolation goal.

With the score at 3-0, Glen Butterworth nipped in to take advantage of Stephen Harrison's stray header inside the penalty area.

After the goal Quakers immediately restored the three-goal advantage.

But Gray said: "The one goal we conceded was given to them. That's not good enough. We've been doing that a little bit too often, a little bit of complacency creeps in, which is not acceptable.

"It would've looked better to see 7-0 in the paper than 7-1.

"But let's think about all of the positives we've had this season. That's 40-odd goals now and that was an outstanding performance."

Gray's team have found the net in all 13 of their league matches, with their goal tally now standing at 45.

Their good run of form has coincided with a spell on the sidelines for striker David Dowson, but Gray hopes he will be a sub this evening.

"It would be nice to get him involved again," said Gray. "We'll see how he is tomorrow night and we might have him on the bench."

A decision on left-back Dan Smith will also be made this evening. He limped off after only nine minutes on Saturday with an ankle problem.

South Shields are third-bottom having conceded 25 goals in their past six matches, which includes an 11-0 defeat to Shildon.

The Mariners have won two of their nine games, including a 4-0 success at Hebburn where a much-changed Darlington team lost in the Durham Challenge Cup.

Elsewhere in the Northern League this evening, it's third versus second at Bedlington who host Spennymoor Town.

Bedlington are five points adrift of Moors, who are six behind Darlington.

Meanwhile, Quakers' game at Spennymoor has been brought forward to Friday, February 15 (7.45pm) from the following day. The match will also be all-ticket.

Moors general manager Steven Lawson said: "With the game being a significant fixture in the calendar and with it now being a Friday night we expect there to be a large number people attending so we have decided as a club to make it all ticket.

"The game is months away but we are planning well in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly."