A spot of healthy competition between team-mates is helping drive Darlington’s promotion push.

Graeme Armstrong’s double last Saturday took him to 14 goals for the campaign, one ahead of strike-partner Amar Purewal, and the ex-Whitby Town striker admits he keeps track of their respective progress.

In the previous two seasons Purewal was battling with Stephen Thompson to become leading goalscorer and although the latter is finding goals hard to come by this term – currently on four –summer signing Armstrong has filled the void.

He has netted some crucial goals, notably in both victories over Spennymoor Town and an equaliser earlier this month at Bamber Bridge, and will hope to add to his tally against Scarborough Athletic at Heritage Park (3pm) today when Quakers’ season reaches the halfway point.

Armstrong said: “I’ve got 12 league goals, 14 in total. I keep an eye on it because me and Amar have got a bit of a competition going. I’m one above him now.

“It’s nice to have a little friendly rivalry, but between us we’ve got 27 goals before Christmas and it’s only the last 13 or 14 games we’ve played together because Amar had a big spell out. Since he came he’s been a revelation, a massive help to me in terms of taking pressure off.

“We’re both capable in the air and we’re both similar players and I’d like to think that when we’re up against two centre-halves they see that they’re up against two big lads and it must be daunting for them.”

Darlington’s front pair combined for Quakers’ late leveller last Saturday, Armstrong’s header evading Radcliffe Borough keeper Chris Cheetham after a challenge by Purewal went unpunished by referee Paul Keogh.

“I won the header and saw the ball loop in,” said Armstrong. “There were bodies in front of me, so I couldn’t see what went on, but I looked at the referee straight away because I thought the keeper would’ve caught it. I thought something must’ve gone on.

“The referee was so inconsistent so there was always a chance he would give it.”

The equaliser came with ten minutes to go and in the dying seconds Armstrong was narrowly off-target, when a win would’ve taken Quakers top of the table.

“Even though I got two goals I was disappointed,” added Armstrong. “The ball came over and I saw it too late so didn’t enough on it and it went just wide. It was disappointing.

“The positive is that we didn’t drop points on Northwich and Salford. It would’ve been lovely to be top of the table at Christmas with games in hand, but it wasn’t to be.

“If someone had offered us 14 games the chance to be second at Christmas with games in hand we’d have bitten their hands off. We’re really pleased with the transition we’ve made and the one key thing is that we’re hard to beat.

“We’re very strong defensively. Our backbone is a strong defence, keeping clean sheets, and that’s why we’ve been doing so well and there’s only one league game this season in which we haven’t scored and that was at home to Salford.

“We’ve got a busy period with some tough games, so we need to be back on it on Friday against Scarborough, who are on a decent run.”

Scarborough have won five league games in a row, recovering well since suffering a 4-0 home defeat to Darlington in the FA Trophy at the beginning of November.

Rudy Funk stepped down as manager not longer after that game and has been replaced by joint bosses Bryan Hughes and Paul Foot.

The fixture may be in danger as the forecast was for overnight frost, putting a risk what is due to be Darlington’s first home Boxing Day game since 2007.

That was a draw with Rotherham United, while their latest victory at home on December 26 was 4-2 against Macclesfield Town.

Twenty years ago today Quakers defeated Scarborough 1-0 at Feethams with a goal by Bernie Slaven.

*There is no public transport today, however, the usual bus, run jointly by the Supporters Trust and Cleveland Bridge Social Club, will make additional pick-ups.

Departure times: 1:40pm North Road (Bensham Road bus stop); 1:42pm North Road (Thompson Street bus stop); 1:45pm North Road (Morrisons’ bus stop); 2:00pm Cleveland Bridge Social Club; 2:10pm Dolphin Centre; 2:15pm Cockerton Library; 2:20pm West Auckland Road (opposite Westgate Crescent).

The return fare is £5 adults and £3 for juniors (16 and under). Advance bookings only. To reserve a seat call or text 07808-900031 stating your name and pick-up point. Alternatively email secretary@darlotrust.org. The return journey begins 15 minutes after the final whistle.