We host Chester this weekend on Retro Day looking to pull away from the bottom three.  We currently sit seven points ahead of Ashton United and FC United of Manchester all with 24 points left to play for.

Chester are five points outside the top seven, but are still hopeful of making the end of season playoffs. Managed by former Salford duo Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson, Chester have been inconsistent throughout the season having been tipped as one of the pre-season favourites.

Last weekend they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leamington having lost their last away fixture 4-0 at Altrincham. 

Our meeting just prior to Christmas saw Chester come out on top 3-1.

The two sides have met many teams in the Football League, with Chester suffering similar struggles over the last decade. Three back-to-back promotions saw them reach the National Premier where they sat until this season.

Quakers will include new midfielder Omar Holness, who has been in Major League Soccer in the USA for Real Salt Lake City and has signed for the club on a permanent basis. He has been capped twice for Jamaica.

There are also two loan players from Huddersfield -- striker Kit Elliott and defender Ben Jackson. We now have six loan players, but we can only name five on the teamsheet.

Saturday’s game will be covered live on Darlo Fans Radio, and the club’s official Twitter and website

Remember to turn up in your old Darlo shirt, have your photo taken and maybe win a prize!

Stats pack

Darlington

League position:  17th

Home form:    Played 16, won 5, drawn 5, lost 7, goals for 21, against 19, points 20 (out of total 37)

Team News:  Romal Palmer picked up a knee injury at Hereford last week, and is doubtful.

Joe Wheatley missed last week’s game at Hereford, and could return, depending on a fitness test.

New midfielder Omar Holness, new defender Ben Jackson and new striker Kit Elliott are included in the squad.

Stephen Thompson now has 91 goals for the club after scoring last week.

Leading scorer:   Jordan Nicholson 9, Harvey Saunders 8, Andrew Nelson 6

Position in form table of last six matches:  18^th, won 1, drawn 2, lost 3 goals for 5, against 10

Last six matches

March 9^th Hereford (away) lost 2-4 Elliott, Thompson

Darlington; Turner, Galbraith, Ainge, Smith, Trotman, Henshall (Kokolo 81), Elliott, Palmer (sub Glover 26), Kneeshaw, Nicholson (sub Saunders 70), Thompson.

Subs:  Maddison, Lingthep

March 5^th Telford (away) lost 1-3 Saunders

March 2^nd Chorley (home) drew 1-1 Kneeshaw

February 20^th Brackley (home) lost 0-2

February 16^th Southport (home) drew 0-0

February 9th Blyth (away) won 1-0 Thompson pen

Chester

League position :  9^th (five points below play offs)

Away form:  played 17, won 3, drawn 5, lost 9, goals for 14, goals against 33, points 14 (out of 49)

Position in form table of last six league matches: 14^th. Won 2, drawn 1, lost 3, goals scored 8, against 12,

Last six matches:

9/3/19 – Leamington (H) Drew 1-1 McKenna

Chester FC: Shenton, Jackson, Waters, McAllister, Livesey, Howson, McKenna, Roberts, Asante (sub Waring 66), Dudley, Mahon. Subs: Grand, Noble, Mooney, Marsh-Hughes.

2/3/19 – Altrincham (A) Lost 4-0

26/02/19-Blyth (H) Won 2-0 Mahon, Waring

23/02/19 – Bradford PA (A) Lost 2-0

16/02/19 – Boston United (H) Won 4-1 Asante, Dudley, Mahon, Waring

09/02/19 – Kidderminster Harriers (A) Lost 4-1 Asante

Last time we met:

Chester 3 (Asante 3) Darlington 1 (Wheatley)

Darlington:  Maddison, Trotman, Galbraith (sub O’Hanlon 57), Burn, Elliott;  Hughes, Wheatley; Henshall (sub Lingthep 90), Nicholson, Thompson; Saunders

Subs: Hall, Glover, Stansfield

Chester City: Shenton, Thomson, Grand, Livesey, Howson;  Mooney, Noble, Stopforth, Mahon (Marsh-Hughes 89); Asante (sub Smalley 80), Dudley (sub Dawson 90+3). Subs not used: Subs:   Brown, Murray