It was with great relief that Darlington celebrated Wednesday’s win over Lancaster City, and now they are aiming to do it another ten times starting today against Northwich Victoria.

“It’s in our own hands. Win the next ten games and we go up,” said midfielder Tom Portas, perhaps with a touch of irony, fully aware how big a task that would be.

“We’ve got to keep our heads down, knuckle down and results will come.”

Quakers only hold a slender advantage over second-placed Salford City, ahead on goal difference but with a game in hand, so know they will be pushed all the way by the Class of ’92-backed club who should benefit from a less demanding run-in.

Darlington’s remaining games are, in theory at least, far tougher with today’s match being typical of their last ten fixtures, coming up against another promotion-chasing team, but Quakers go into the contest in much-improved mood.

Having suffered a case of the promotion jitters, losing three of their previous four matches, Darlington got back on track in midweek and manager Martin Gray admitted: “It was a morale-booster.

“Everybody has been feeling uneasy. We don’t like losing games, it hurts me and spoils my whole weekend, it affects everything in your life.

“We’ve got to stick together now, that is what I told the players before the game. We’d got ourselves into a great position, we’re now in an even better position.

“We need to work hard in everything that we do and when we put in a performance like Wednesday’s we look a really strong team.”

A 3-0 win over a Lancaster side that last weekend inflicted a surprise defeat on Salford gave Quakers an injection of self-belief as well as a place at the top of the table.

Gray said: “I know Salford had players sent off last Saturday, but it was still a big performance from Lancaster, so it was an outstanding performance from us on Wednesday.

“We’ve been crying out for that and David Dowson was unlucky not to get two or three goals. His work-rate, his energy was magnificent. He never gives defenders a minute on the ball and he’s got his rewards in the last two games with two goals.

“We’ve got to ask the players to do the same again. This Saturday will be a tough game, I know Northwich were there on Wednesday, so they are doing their job right. They are challenging in the top three of the table, they’re a good team that we have had watched.”

Northwich are the only team Darlington are yet to face this campaign. Last season they won at Heritage Park in a game delayed by an hour due to the visitors arriving late, while the teams drew in the reverse fixture.

The Vics’ form is decent having won five of their last seven matches, though Darlington will now be hoping Wednesday’s win has kick-started another good run.

Midfielders Portas and Leon Scott fantastic goals, leaving Gray full of praise for the pair.

He said: “Tom’s goal was similar to the one he scored the other week against Bamber Bridge, outside of his foot. Wednesday’s was from a more acute angle, he probably caught the keeper unaware, he won’t have expected him to shoot from there and suddenly it’s in the bottom corner.

“It was a bit like cricketer, the ball went out and then span back in. It was great technique.

“He’s full of it at the moment. He’s putting in some top performances and scoring some top goals.

“Leon’s goal was magnificent, hit with real power. It was hit with his swinger, but his timing was good and pace beat the keeper.”

Alan White is again unavailable as he serves the second game of a two-match ban.