Story by Kevin Luff - 24th March 2007

Sunday's game needs little introduction. With the match declared a 10,000 sell out the Darlington Arena is ready to play host to its first derby game and perhaps the most significant since Quakers and Pools met in the Division Three play-off semi finals in 2000. Both teams are unbeaten in the league since the turn of the year with Hartlepool's run stretching back twenty-one games. It is a run which has taken Danny Wilson's men to the top of the table. Darlington's thirteen game unbeaten spell has lifted them out of the doldrums and into a leading position amongst the play-off hopefuls.

Boston United's goalless draw with Wycombe Wanders on Friday night gives this encounter extra spice. Three points for Darlington would lift them into the top seven and the play-off places but in order to do this Quakers will have to overcome their jinx of never recording a positive result at the Arena with a crowd of over 6,000 in attendance. However this will be Dave Penney's first game in such a situation and will be unfazed by this statistic, indeed the Darlington boss is looking forward to his first derby clash and the extra noise created.

"Normally these is 4,000 or 4,500. It will be nice to get 10,000 in here and create a decent atmosphere. We'll have more than them so it is important that our fans get behind us and make it a great atmosphere which raises the players and raises the performance levels," said Penney. "It makes players play better, I don't care what people say. It is a physiological thing. They step out and if there is a buzz out there they enjoy it. I am sure Hartlepool will come out and play their normal game which is attack minded. That will suit us as well, it won't frustrate us and it won't frustrate the supporters."

The game promises to be an interesting one on several levels, not least the test between Darlington's defence, which has not leaked a goal in four games, and Hartlepool's attacking line which has scored eleven goals in the last five games. Pools though have conceded eight in the same number of games which should give plenty of encouragement to Darlington's attacking pairing which found its feet last weekend after two games without a goal.

The added possibility of breaking into the play-off places should provide Darlington's players with any added incentive - not any should be needed - they need to dig out a result against their rivals. With only a handful of games left and Penney's stated belief that it is easier to stay in the play-offs than break into them the chance to leap frog Wycombe makes this game not only an important derby game, but potentially an important game in the outcome of this topsy turvy season. For most supporters though the chance to dent Hartlepool's promotion and take home the local bragging rights will offer enough.

"The players know how important this one is," said Penney. "They are all aware of it, there is more press, it is a Sunday game and they are aware of the situation for the supporters. People say that the new players coming in are not used to this derby but wherever they've been they will have played in derbies just as big, if not bigger. They to will be fully aware of its importance and the expectation levels."

Sunday's game kicks off at 1pm. No tickets will be available on the day of the game. Turnstiles and bars open at 11.30am.