At the end of a significant week for Darlington, when a campaign was launched to fund the club’s return to the town, today heralds the beginning of a momentous month.

They play seven matches in March, including both of their games in hand on leaders Salford City, so will have a better idea by the end of the month how their promotions chances fare.

Quakers begin the period by travelling to mid-table Clitheroe and, having gambled with his team selection seven days ago, Martin Gray is likely to have an easier task ahead of him when choosing his favoured XI.

Darlington’s manager, however, admits that last week’s surprise axing of experienced defender Alan White and leading scorer Graeme Armstrong could easily have backfired had the move not had the required result against Bamber Bridge.

Having lost back-to-back league games for the first time this season, defeated at Kendal and Farsley, Quakers suddenly lost their momentum and in desperate need of victory at Heritage Park.

It came thanks to a 2-1 win more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, Gray proving justified in his decision to drop White and Armstrong, neither o whom have questioned the decision, revealed the manager.

“It was a big decision to leave those two out, but you’ve got to have faith in your judgement,” said Gray. “I had my reasons and if it hadn’t worked I would have had people pointing the gun at me, but that’s the nature of the job.

“I haven’t spoken to the players about it, not one bit, and they haven’t come to me about it either. What does that tell you? That it was the right decision.”

On White’s removal from the team, four days after his second red card in a matter of weeks, Gray added: “The players know how I operate, they know I want the best all the time. The discipline, without going on too much, hasn’t been good enough, therefore, you’ve got to make decisions.”

Gray’s XI is likely to remain unchanged today, if Gary Brown has overcome a groin injury sustained last weekend, as Darlington bid to build on last week’s win.

“It was a good reaction,” said Gray. “We needed to get back to winning ways and we did that. It was more like us as a team, it was a really positive performance and everybody played their part including the subs who came on.

“We were unfortunate not to win by more because the scoreline could’ve been a lot more comfortable really.”

In a change of ploy from recent matches, Darlington played fewer high balls into their strikers, a move noted by supporters, and Gray explained it was due to pairing David Dowson with Nathan Cartman, neither of which are target men.

“There wasn’t the target or presence of Graeme or Liam Hatch up front, so we needed more quality balls into the right areas,” said the manager. “Adam Mitchell and Ian Watson gave us more quality from wide areas and we knew fine well that if we put the ball down centre-halves’ throats it wouldn’t work.

“You’ve got to be able to mix your game up. It’s not just about turning teams, what you’re trying to do is hit areas. It’s about decision making, and if you make more good decisions when you’re in possession then you’ve got half a chance.”

Leon Scott made his first start in four matches, and his first in the centre of midfield since the end of January, and Gray was pleased with his performance that included scoring Quakers’ second goal.

“He was asked to do a job on Paul McKenna, an ex-Football League player, and he snuffed him out, he stopped one of their better players playing,” said the manager.

“For his goal, we played the ball from a corner, retained possession, didn’t put the ball back in there in a hurry and then Leon found himself in the box and scored with his right foot – somehow! He swung his leg at it.

“Leon and Tom Portas both chipped in with a goal, and we need to see more goals from midfielders.

“Tom needs to be more positive. He scored last week, but at the end he tried a little one-two with Adam Mitchell instead of pulling the trigger. You’ve just scored a worldy go and get another.”

Although Clitheroe took a point on merit at Heritage Park in November they have won only two of their last ten league games and have dropped to 13th.

After today’s match Darlington have three consecutive home fixtures. They face Lancaster City on Wednesday; third-placed Northwich Victoria in a week’s time and then lowly Prescot Cables on Saturday, March 21.