MARK Proctor believes the impressive midweek win over Swansea City will count for nothing if Darlington return to the North-East pointless tonight.

Quakers take on Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road this afternoon, four days after beating the high-flying Swans 2-1 at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

The win moved Quakers back into the final play-off place with 12 games remaining.

However, with ten other teams outside the top seven still in play-off contention, Quakers' position is by no means assured. Since December David Hodgson's men have slipped out of the top seven on four occasions.

Their most recent capitulation came a fortnight ago, when, seven days after winning at Bury, Quakers succumbed to struggling Notts County in a 2-1 home defeat.

And Proctor admits it is that inconsistency which is making life in League Two's upper echelons a whole lot harder than it should be for Quakers.

"It was a massive game against Swansea and a fantastic win," said Proctor. "We played well against a very good side. It's important that we don't let all that hard work go to waste at Orient. It's another potential banana skin, but we've been very confident going away from home.

"We've won games away, only to let it all go to waste by losing at home.

"We did it against Notts County after winning at Bury.

"It's reversed now and we need to consolidate the Swansea result by beating Orient. If we don't get anything on Saturday we will be putting ourselves under pressure again."

Proctor believes victory at Brisbane Road will stand Quakers in good stead ahead of some crucial games in March.

Top-of-the-table Yeovil Town visit the Williamson Motors Stadium next month, while games against Grimsby Town (17th), Kidderminster (23rd) and Bristol Rovers (16th) arguably provide Quakers with an opportunity to strengthen their foothold in the top seven in March.

"I believe your next game is always your biggest and I think March is a massive month for us," said Proctor.

"We have some difficult games coming up and it's important that we come away from Orient with at least a point."

Skipper Craig Liddle will be fit to face the Os after shaking off a calf problem and Hodgson could name the same side for a third consecutive game, for the first time this season.

Alun Armstrong, Clyde Wijnhard and Neil Wainwright play their final games before serving one-match bans.

Wijnhard scored his first goal in six games in last week's hard-earned draw at Wycombe.

And, while Armstrong extended his personal goal drought to eight games after Tuesday, Proctor has backed Quakers' ten-goal leading scorer to come good.

"We created numerous chances at Wycombe and Alun is getting there or thereabouts," said Proctor.

"I'm sure he's a little bit anxious and wants to score. We believe it will only be a matter of time before he starts scoring again."

Craig Hignett remains sidelined with a groin problem, although he could recover in time to feature against Boston next week.

Orient are five points off the play-off zone and manager Martin Ling has stressed the importance of narrowing the gap this afternoon.

"It's a must-win game for us if we want to do anything this season," said Ling.

The Os are without skipper Gary Alexander, who is suspended, along with John Mackie. Wayne Carlisle (knee), Jabo Ibehre (knee) and Mark Peters (toe) remain sidelined.

* Jamaica international Damion Stewart will join Quakers next Wednesday after agreeing terms. Stewart recently helped his country qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup after wins over Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Cuba.

The 24-year-old has agreed to join Quakers until the end of the season, with the option of a further year.

In addition Jonjo Dickman will link up with Quakers on Monday after the Sunderland midfielder agreed "in principle" to join the club until the end of the season, with a one-year option.

And former Middlesbrough winger Keith Gilroy looks set to spend a second week on trial with Quakers. The 21-year-old has been playing on a month-to-month basis for Scarborough this season, where he has made 24 appearances.

"Keith is a player I've continued to track since I left Middlesbrough in the summer and we will asses him again next week," revealed Proctor. "He's a talented lad, very quick and can play on either wing."

The Irishman has also attracted interest from Sheffield Wednesday this season.

However, Proctor has conceded that their hopes of signing Newcastle United striker Lewis Guy are looking increasingly slim. League One Doncaster Rovers are reported to have made an approach for the 19-year-old.

Matty Appleby's proposed return to Quakers has also been thrown into doubt after manager Brian Talbot left Oldham Athletic on Thursday.

"I don't think he's going anywhere, for the time being at least," said Proctor.

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