Darlington know a draw would suit them more than it would Salford City in Saturday’s much-anticipated encounter, yet Quakers want three points, says Stephen Thompson.

Third-placed Darlington will face the team directly above them in the table, who are level with leaders Northwich Victoria, three points adrift but Martin Gray’s men have five matches in hand.

Those five fixtures mean Quakers could afford to draw, or even lose, and remain in a healthy position in the chase the single automatic promotion place.

A repeat of last season’s win at Salford, however, would be the ideal scenario for Thompson, who scored in a 2-0 win at Moor Lane and also netted in last weekend’s victory at Ossett Albion.

“We’ve got a big second half of the season coming up now and it’s in our hands,” said Thompson. “If we go to Salford and beat them it would be a massive result for us. A draw would be good because it would be like them losing two points, but we’re going there for a win.

“I scored there last season. It would be nice to do it again.”

New team-mate Nathan Cartman will also be hoping to score at Salford again having netted a hat-trick there earlier this season.

“Last week he scored a hat-trick in the friendly against Bilingham Synthonia and he’s hit the ground running,” added Thompson. “He’s getting on well with all the lads.

“Saturday was probably frustrating for him, it wasn’t the best of games for him. But we’ll get him on the ball against Salford, because I think he has a good record against them.

“He scored a hat-trick at their place, so hopefully he’ll do the same again.”

Thompson’s second-half goal on Saturday, a volley from the edge of the penalty area, was his first since reaching the half-century mark in the win at Mossley in November.

Since then, however, Quakers had six matches postponed due to the weather

“It’s been frustrating not playing,” said Thompson. “We’ve been training, but there’s nothing like playing games. We’ve been sat at home watching results come in, so it was good to finally play a game.

“I didn’t feel rusty at all. We dominated the match and it probably helped that we had a friendly the week before against Billingham Synthonia.

“I had 45 minutes against Billingham and scored. On Saturday the ball dropped to me and I just hit it, it was instinct really.

“The ball was up in there for a long time, I thought I was going to get clattered. It was nice to get back on the scoresheet and get three points.”

Darlington Supporters Club are accepting bookings from fans wishing to travel on Saturday.

Due to demand they have arranged an extra coach, with an attendance well in excess of Salford’s highest so far this season – 459 – expected.

The coaches leave Park Place at 11am and cost £15. To book, call 01325-243911.

Darlington's rearranged match at Padiham will take place on Wednesday, February 11 (7.45pm).

It means Quakers will play three away matches in a row: Padiham, Harrogate RA (February 14), Kendal (February 21).

They are still awaiting dates for five other rearranged games: away to Farsley, New Mills and Northwich Victoria, and at home to Lancaster City and Prescot Cables. Clubs have no say when matches are played and must wait for league officials to notify them.

Meanwhile, Darlington have reduced prices of their replica kit. Home shirts are now £25, away shirts and child’s purple goalkeeper shirts are £20. Quaker Retail at Blackwell Meadows is open Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, 10am-1pm.