DAVID HODGSON has every reason not to under-estimate relegation-threatened Kidderminster Harriers at the Williamson Motors Stadium this afternoon - because Darlington were in a similar predicament this time last season.

The Quakers' boss last night warned his promotion-seeking charges to take second bottom Harriers lightly at their own peril.

At the same stage last season Quakers were 17th in the old Third Division and just four points clear of safety after 38 games.

In comparison, Harriers are four points adrift of a survival place ahead of this afternoon's League Two encounter.

Ironically, many regard David McGurk's injury-time equaliser at Kidderminster in January last season as the turning point in Quakers' successful battle against the drop.

And similarly, Harriers are showing signs of recovery, arriving in the North-East on the back of a five-match unbeaten run.

"I made a point to the players on Friday morning that we were in a similar position as Kidderminster this time last season," said Hodgson.

"We weren't given any hope in some games, but when fear crept in we won games. Last season the players knew that their careers were over if we went down.

"There is a fear factor among our lads because they know I will have to re-address everything, from top to bottom next season, if we don't make the play-offs at least."

Darlington strengthened their foothold in the play-off places with their third straight win at Grimsby last week.

And, while Hodgson has every confidence that run will be extended to four games this afternoon, he is also wary of Quakers' track record against 'lesser' sides.

While Quakers have beaten all five teams - Yeovil, Scunthorpe, Macclesfield, Southend and Swansea - above them this season, they have struggled against others at the opposite end of the table.

"We've won three matches and we can win four if we do it right," said Hodgson. "If we don't do it right then that tells me that we can only do it in the big games against the sides who are doing well.

"We've matched all the top teams, but we have to learn how to deal with those who aren't doing well.

"Good sides beat teams like Kidderminster, but we've managed to drop points."

Matthew Bates, who joined the club from Middlesbrough on Thursday, will not be included in the squad this afternoon, although he is expected to travel to Bristol on Bank Holiday Monday.

Hodgson dropped his interest in Everton's Anthony Gerrard - cousin of Liverpool and England midfielder Steven - before moving for Bates, who was part of Mark Proctor's FA Youth Cup-winning side last season.

And, while Proctor is well aware of the 18-year-old's talents, Hodgson has continued to keep a close check on his progress from his days as an agent.

"I've seen him play and I even rang his Mum when I was an agent in Argentina to sign him up for an agency I was involved with," said Hodgson. "He's quick as anything; he's as hard as nails and in the air he's outstanding."

While Bates has yet to kick a ball for Quakers, Hodgson is already pondering a move for the teenager next season.

He said: "I would love to take players like Matthew Bates on season-long loans and that is certainly something I am already considering for next season.

"We have a chance to look at him between now and the end of the season. If we like the look of him and he likes the looks of us then we will address that for next year."

Despite the arrivals of Huddersfield striker Akpo Sodje (on-loan until the end of the season) and Bates, Hodgson could name the same side which won 1-0 at Grimsby seven days ago.

"We've won three on the trot so I'm not concerned about making changes," said Hodgson. "I'm still trying to learn from my mistakes in the past where you keep believing in one particular shape and it doesn't always work like that.

"If I have to make changes to win a game then that's what I will do."

Sodje - who has scored 14 goals for Huddersfield reserves this season - will compete with Craig Russell to partner 11-goal leading scorer Alun Armstrong in attack.

"Sodje is quick as anything and he's extremely good in the air," said Hodgson. "He's no Maradona but at the end of the day he's got a great frame on him, he gets between defenders and does the job.

"When you have pace you're always going to have a chance, especially at this level where defenders fall asleep."

Today's game has been brought forward to 1pm to avoid England's World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland. A bumper crowd is expected at the WMS for the official opening of the North Stand, while a world record 122 mascots - one for each year of Quakers' existence - will run out before the game.

Kidderminster etched their name in the Quakers record books last season when they were the first team to play at the WMS, winning 2-0 in front of a 11,600 crowd.

In December, Quakers' biggest gate of the season - 7,028 - watched Rochdale record a 3-0 win.

However, with the additions of players since then - including the return of fans' favourite Matty Appleby - Hodgson is confident Quakers can rise to the occasion at the third time of asking.

"Hopefully the players will respond to a big crowd because they didn't last time and they got turned over by Kidderminster," said Hodgson. "The same happened against Rochdale, but there are a few different faces out there now and I'm sure we'll give them something to cheer about this time around."

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