Story by Kevin Luff - 21st April 2006

Darlington entertain Bury tomorrow at the TFM Darlington Arena knowing that a win is crucial for their play-off hopes. The Shakers have a good record at the Arena and will be looking to continue it. However if they are to do that then Chris Casper's side will have to find only their second win in six outings. Bury at present are fighting a battle against relegation. Whilst only a few points separate Bury from the teams beneath them they do have a couple of games in hand which could prove important. Casper admits however the situation is a nervous one for all concerned.

"Players do get nervous, everyone gets nervous and I feel for the fans because we are in a position of trust, they are trusting us to get out of this position and they are feeling it as well. We have got to keep showing that belief, but we will scrap and fight, we will be organised and will do everything we can to wear the shirt with pride and give back the faith and trust that they have put in us," said Casper on the club's official website. "This is on our own hands, its one of these situations where we win the next three games and that's it basically, it's as plain and as simple as that. We said that to the lads six or seven games ago and let's go and see if we can win every game."

Casper is not the only one eyeing a few wins to polish off the season. This number is exactly what Quakers need and want. With things so tight in the battle for a play-off place it remains to be seen exactly how many points will be needed. Three wins would surely be enough and failure to make the top seven with this number of victories under a side's belt and they could be considered very unlucky indeed. Whilst Darlington do want three straights wins they are not getting carried away. Instead assistant manager Mark Proctor has his sights firmly set on Bury and nothing more at present.

"We're not even thinking about the play-offs at the moment, we're simply focusing on Bury. This division is so tight and there is so little to choose between the teams that we must take it match-by-match," said Proctor in the Evening Gazette. "We picked up just one point over Easter but the teams around us seemed to slip up as well so it's a nice surprise that we're still in touch. We will certainly be pleased if we've got something to play for on the final day of the season."

Darlington have been unable to call upon the services of Shelton Martis for the past two games. However the Dutch defender should be back in the frame for this fixture. Following his red card at Cheltenham Town on Easter Monday Matty Appleby will serve the first of a four game ban. Unless Quakers make the play-offs Appleby will not be available for the remainder of the campaign. Meanwhile Bury are hoping to have midfielder Lewis Gobern, who has been suffering from a leg infection, back in harness for the match.

Bury will also include in their line up young Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel. The shot stopper played four games for Darlington earlier this season as he covered for the injured Sam Russell. He helped reinvigorate Darlington's play-off hopes (we've said that a lot of late) by playing his part in three wins and a draw. During his time at the Arena he let in just one goal and is sure of a great reception from the Darlington supporters. The game against Bury kicks off at 3pm.

Previous Meetings

Bury's last five games