THE VICTORY over Barnet in our last game plus the arrival of the two new boys has given us a real boost as we prepare to make the long trip up to the north-east to take on Darlington.

We go into the game in a positive frame of mind, but I am only too aware that we have to get the balance of the team right. We don't want to go there and hang ourselves; I have a number of options available to me and we are looking forward to the challenge of taking on an in-form Darlington side.

We must try to keep an even perspective on things; one result doesn't suddenly put us back on track, what we have to do is get a run of results going again.

This part of the season is all about being totally single-minded. With just 11 games to go, we can't afford to worry about anyone else, just ourselves.

Five of our last six opponents have been high up the Current Form table and Darlington are the same. I am expecting a very open game; they are a much-changed side from the one which came to Bescot Stadium back in August, but we know that on our day we are more than capable of beating them. Likewise, they have the ability within their ranks to cause us problems.

David Penney is an experienced manager who knows what he is doing and has had success at this level in the past. In many ways his side are similar to ourselves with a talented but young defence and an experienced forward line.

It's going to be a tough test, but one that we face with relish and are looking forward to.

RICHARD MONEY