Darlington have moved into a strong position to challenge for at least a League Two promotion play-off place as the season enters the vital run-in stage.

They have a golden opportunity to really turn up the heat on their rivals when they welcome second-bottom Kidderminster Harriers to the Williamson Motors Stadium tomorrow and then visit Bristol Rovers on Monday.

Quakers will be hoping for their fourth successive win tomorrow after a first goal for Jason St Juste and a penalty save from Sam Russell earned them a somewhat fortuitous 1-0 victory at Grimsby Town last Saturday.

The Mariners largely dominated the game, but fell behind after 11 minutes when St Juste crashed in a superb left-foot volley from 22 yards out.

But the real turning point of the game arrived after 73 minutes when Russell brought down Michael Reddy in the area and was lucky to receive only a yellow card.

The home side's frustration was then increased when referee Paul Taylor ordered the spot kick to be re-taken for encroachment after Martin Gritton had sent Russell the wrong way.

The Quakers keeper guessed correctly that Gritton would go the same way with his second attempt and pulled off a crucial save.

Grimsby's Terry Fleming was unable to keep his sense of injustice in check and was sent off minutes later when he launched a tirade of abuse at the referee as he was being booked for a foul on Darlington substitute Adrian Webster.

It was a welcome three points for David Hodgson's side and the manager received a further boost with the news this week that David McGurk, who was taken off on a stretcher at Blundell Park after suffering a knee injury, will not need surgery and is available for tomorrow's game.

But Craig Hignett missed the Grimsby game with a groin injury and Hodgson will again be without Clyde Wijnhard as the striker continues a three-match ban.

Kidderminster may have endured a wretched season, but Quakers will need to be fully switched on as the visitors are fighting hard for survival.

Bristol Rovers have also been disappointing, but have only lost once at home. Last Saturday they trailed visitors Mansfield Town 4-2 before scoring two late goals to earn a point.