Mowden Park go into today's derby clash with Darlington desperate to bounce back from last week's disappointment.

Manager Jim Dyson was highly critical of his team after a 'pathetic' performance in the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Dudley Kingswinford, but is hoping for better after seeing his players show they have the fight to bounce back.

"I've had a cracking response from the players; they've trained well and they know they are up against it and hopefully they will come back fighting fit," said Dyson.

Mowden have been dealt several blows before the crunch game with Danny Brown, Jason Smithson and Eni Gesinde called up to the Newcastle Falcons squad and Tongan Noah Fosita a doubt.

"It's a set back by having players called up by the Falcons,'' added Dyson.

"Its not a situation we like, but it has worked for us in the past and it will work for us again.

"Its hard to tell a player who wants to play that he can't. He (Fosita) will just play and play but he needs a rest."

And Dyson also paid tribute to the Mowden supporters who have been behind the team all season, hoping his players can pay them back with a result against their town rivals.

He said: "The team have put last week's performance behind them and they are determined to show the supporters what they can do. The fans are entitled to better than we gave them last week. They have been excellent all season and they deserve more."

John Golightly is expected to be fit enough to take his place on the bench but new signing Shaun Richardson will miss out on his first appearance for the club. The player, who moved from Middlesbrough, has problems with his registration.

Darlington player-coach Craig Lee has Darrel Hutton, Paul Lee and David Kell all available. Kell returns from suspension after being sent off in the last match against Mowden and means Lee has a full squad to choose from.

"We are hoping to take all five points for the win as well as the bonus," said Lee.

"There players won't be happy about their manager's comments last week and we will be looking to take advantage of that.

"Their last win was against us. We think that we deserved a lot more out of that game than a bonus point."