DARLINGTON take on Rotherham United at The Northern Echo Arena on Saturday looking to turn good performances into points.

Quakers won at Rotherham three games ago, but then lost at Crewe and at home to Northampton, despite playing well in spells, especially against the Cobblers.

Darlington manager Steve Staunton said: "I'm asking the players for the same level of performance they gave at Rotherham and against Northampton. If we give that we will win more games than we lose.

"We face a massive period between now and Easter and we want momentum, results and confidence. We want a snowball effect.

"We have seen a marked improvement and there's room for further improvement. Most of our games are at home, which will be crucial."

Darlington had Rotherham watched in midweek, when they went down 3-1 to second placed Bournemouth, a second home defeat this season after we inflicted the first, despite leading 1-0 at half-time.

And that, coupled with Darlington's win there, makes Staunton wary ahead of a game which he hopes will start his side on a winning run to lift them off the bottom of the League Two table.

"I know Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore will have his team fired up," warned Staunton. "After losing to us and their second half performance on Tuesday they will come out all guns blazing from the off and we have to match them. They are not up near the top of the league for no reason."

New signing Richie Bryne, who arrived on transfer deadline day, has added to the defensive options. Staunton said:

"Richie is an experienced and tough boy. He is a no nonsense defender and a good talker. He's played in Scotland, Ireland and at League One level with Oldham. He gives us important competition for places."

With no new injuries the manager could name an unchanged side, though their must be at least one change on the bench, for Noel Whelan has a sciatica problem, and though he is back in training he won't be risked.

The club is hoping for a good crowd for their first Saturday home game of the New Year.