SO often the scourge of Darlington's big days in recent seasons, David Hodgson is counting on party-poopers Kidderminster Harriers to make the impossible possible and make amends at Northampton this afternoon.

As unfancied as a Harriers' victory at the Sixfields Stadium is this afternoon - at odds of 8/1 - Hodgson hopes Kidderminster can throw one last spanner in the League Two works before they depart for Conference football next season.

Harriers cemented their place in Quakers' history last season when they won 2-0 in the first ever game at the then Reynolds Arena. And in March, Harriers kept their faint survival hopes alive with a 2-0 win at the Williamson Motors Stadium, in front of a carnival 6,972 crowd to mark the opening of the North Stand.

But now, as Harriers enjoy one last soiree, Hodgson hopes they have time for a final upset with a draw good enough - so long as Quakers beat Cheltenham.

Last weekend Northampton leapfrogged Quakers into the final play-off place after a 2-0 win at Chester, moving level on points but with a two-goal advantage.

This afternoon Quakers require a better result than Northampton, or a victory by three more goals than the Cobblers.

"Nobody expected Kidderminster to come up here and beat us in March but they did," said Hodgson. "The same will apply to them when they go to Northampton on Saturday, and who knows?"

Hodgson will be the first to inform his players of any critical developments at the Sixfields Stadium this afternoon.

"Northampton scored in the 22nd minute and I knew in the 23rd minute last week," said Hodgson. "On Saturday Northampton will feel the pressure if we go a goal up, the same as we will if they go a goal up. If Kidderminster get a goal then I will let the players know, as long as it has the desired effect and fires us up."

It was shortly after Quakers' goalless draw at Lincoln seven days ago that Hodgson promised a goal-fest against Cheltenham.

But now the former Liverpool and Middlesbrough striker believes patience is paramount to Quakers' slim hopes of finishing in the top seven.

"We need three or four goals and if I knew how to get that we would not be sitting in eighth," said Hodgson. "We could go and lump it forward, but that doesn't mean it's going to go in.

"I learnt at one of the best clubs in the world that patience and belief in what you're doing will get the results.

"We will put out a side against Cheltenham which will be defensively strong and will create goalscoring opportunities."

Having put four past Southend and three past no less than six sides this season, Hodgson knows he has the resources to pip Northampton - or Macclesfield - to the League Two play-off post.

"When I put a side out against Southend earlier this season I never thought we would go and score four goals," said Hodgson. "Nor did I against Macclesfield or Boston. It happened because our general build-up play was good and there were players in the right place at the right times."

Hodgson refused to divulge details last night, although there are suggestions that either skipper Craig Liddle or Joey Hutchinson could make a surprise return to the bench. Liddle is expected to announce his retirement from the game at the end of the season and may be called up for an emotional send-off, while Hutchinson has not played since September with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Clyde Wijnhard will be fit to start, despite taking a knock in Leeds United defender Lucas Radebe's testimonial on Bank Holiday Monday.

With goals the priority Hodgson could be prepared to take a gamble on Alun Armstrong, even though the 11-goal striker is not fully fit after a hip injury.

"If it pays off then everybody is happy," said Hodgson. "If it doesn't then I will suffer."

Last week Hodgson carefully based his selection at Sincil Bank on the fittest players at his disposal. But there will be a more ruthless edge to the Quakers' teamsheet this afternoon as Hodgson goes for broke.

"If it was a cup final you would play people and this is a one-off cup final for us," said Hodgson. "There aren't any second chances after Saturday and I'd rather take that gamble than not."

However, Craig Hignett - with nine goals in 19 appearances - will not be fit in time after a hernia operation, despite being back in training.

"If we make the play-offs then Higgy will be in better shape to come back," said Hodgson.

Cheltenham have their own attacking woes with leading scorer Martin Devaney ruled out with a knee injury. Robins' boss John Ward will choose between Kayode Odejayi and Steve Guinan to partner Damien Spencer in attack. Released Blackburn winger Alan Morgan - who made seven appearances on-loan to Quakers during the 2003/04 season - will play at left-back.

* Quakers play Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly at the Williamson Motors Stadium on Saturday, July 30. The club has also confirmed home friendlies with Leeds United (July 20) and Bradford City (July 23).

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