Quakers are confident tomorrow's home game with Chester City will take place without any problems. The North East has been gripped by severe cold over the last few days but Darlington really need this game to go ahead to avoid falling behind their promotion rivals any further. Dave Penney's side managed only twenty-two minutes at Morecambe before the game was abandoned because of heavy rain and with the news that their away game to Barnet in early January will be rearranged Quakers need this game to go ahead even more.

Chester will also be keen for this game to take place as well following their 2-1 home defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough United. Whilst the defeat in the previous game was a disappointment the Blues are enjoying a good campaign. Since taking over Bobby Williamson has made his side hard to beat and Chester could well break out of the mid-table pack that they have safely occupied since returning to the Football League.

Recent events at the Deva Stadium could threaten to cause the club problems. Chairman Stephen Vaughan has quit the club and whilst he will continue to meet the financial short falls his future apparently lies away from the Blues. Potential investors are already in the pipeline and the club could be ready to switch hands in the not too distant future. It comes at a difficult time with Williamson keen to bolster his squad in the January transfer window. Any deals may have to wait but in the mean time, regardless of any off the field problems, Chester will be a hard nut to crack.

"You say this every week, every game is a difficult game, and they are, Darlington away is never a venue for anyone to go to at any time of the season, it is always going to be a difficult place to go and we expect a tough match and I'm sure they will not disappoint us," said Williamson. "It is up to us. If we keep solid at the back and take any chances that come our way then hopefully we will get the points that we need. It will be another indication about how we are competing in this league and if we look at our last two games against MK Dons and Peterborough, I believe we deserved more out of those games and I have to instil that belief into the players."

Penney is also ready for a tough afternoon on Saturday: "Chester have a great away record so they will be coming here full of confidence. They will want to put their previous result right but we have a decent home record and we want to carry that on. Bobby has turned it round there. He has bought in some experienced players. I am not quite sure what is going on with the chairman right now but that won't affect the Chester players in any shape or form. It is going to be a tough game, make no mistakes about it."

Darlington will most likely only make one change to the team. Ricky Ravenhill is suspended so Clark Keltie will reclaim a starting place in the team. Chester meanwhile could be without left back Laurence Wilson, he sustained an injury last weekend and is likely to be out for a few weeks. He joins Tony Dinning and Tony Grant in the treatment room. One positive not for the visitors is that Richie Partridge may be available for the Blues having missed out against Posh last Saturday with a shoulder injury.

Darlington's game with Chester City kick's off at 3pm.