MARK Proctor has backed misfiring strikers Alun Armstrong and Clyde Wijnhard to start hogging the scoresheet again, starting at Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon.

Between them, the former Premiership pair have scored 18 goals, although none have arrived in Darlington's last six games.

While attacking midfielder Craig Hignett has chipped in with eight goals since joining the club in September, Quakers have become heavily reliant on the goals of Armstrong and Wijnhard. With only two goals scored - by Bobby Petta and defender David McGurk - in their last three games, Quakers have slipped to ninth in League Two.

At one stage, over the course of 21 games this season, Ian Clark and Clark Keltie were the club's only other scorers apart from Armstrong, Wijnhard and Hignett.

While Hignett will miss today's clash at the Causeway Stadium with a groin injury, assistant manager Proctor has every faith that Armstrong's and Wijnhard's goals will steer Quakers back into promotion contention.

"They've carried us a lot this season and there was a time when Alun, Clyde and Craig were the only ones scoring for us," said Proctor.

"Strikers do go through spells when they don't score for a few weeks and I'm sure they are aware of that. Hopefully that can be resolved on Saturday.

"We have been fortunate in that other players have been able to chip in with goals, which is always important in those circumstances."

Manager David Hodgson has already expressed his concern at the recent goal drought and will hold further talks with a Premiership club with a view to signing a young striker on-loan next week.

This afternoon Hodgson will keep faith with Armstrong and Wijnhard as Quakers aim to re-address the balance after last week's 2-1 home defeat to Notts County.

Quakers came in for some heavy criticism from supporters and Proctor insists they had every reason to vent their anger after one of the poorest performances of the season.

He said: "I made eye contact with one supporter, who had a real go, saying we needed to take a good look at ourselves, and he was dead right. I felt like pulling him in and telling him he was spot on.

"I felt twice as angry and aggressive as those sat in the stands because I have something to do out there.

"The fans pay their money and they have a right to get frustrated when things aren't going right."

Quakers lie two points adrift of the play-off zone, yet hold a meagre two-point advantage over 13th-placed Leyton Orient, who they visit in seven days time. Before then Quakers host third-placed Swansea on Tuesday night.

"The next game is always the most important one but we have several massive games coming up after Saturday," said Proctor.

"I think we will have a better idea of where we're batting by the end of the month."

Proctor and Hodgson will keep faith with a 3-5-2 formation this afternoon, although at least two changes to the starting XI are guaranteed.

Hignett and Adrian Webster (hamstring) did not travel with the rest of the squad yesterday, while Curtis Fleming is standing by for a recall after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Neil Maddison is rated as doubtful with a virus, while Chris Hughes has been ruled out for three weeks with a knee injury. Adolfo Gregorio is fit again and could partner Brian Close and Neil Wainwright in central midfield, with Ryan Valentine likely to occupy the right flank.

Wanderers' form has improved since former England coach John Gorman succeeded Tony Adams in the Causeway Stadium hotseat in November. The Buckinghamshire side have lost just once in their last seven league games and lie just one place and one point below Quakers in tenth.

Wycombe go into today's game fresh from Tuesday night's 2-1 win over second-placed Scunthorpe.

"We got the home win on Tuesday and the confidence is now there," said Gorman. "This is a game everybody is up for. I'm looking forward to it and the players are too."

A Wijnhard penalty was the difference between the sides at the Williamson Motors Stadium this season as Quakers ran out 1-0 winners.

"They've had a nice little run under John Gorman and we're expecting a difficult game," said Proctor.

"We beat them by the one goal earlier this season and we will settle for the same this time around."