Darlington'S Craig Lee and Phil Lancaster are expecting to receive their National Three North Coach of the Month award at next week's home game against New Brighton.

The awards are made by the National Clubs' Association, who also selected Mowden Park No 8 Tom McLaren as Player of the Month for December.

"I think we both get a tankard," said Lee. "It helps to bring some recognition to the club and is a reward for hopefully getting ourselves out of the mire

"We have won our last six home games and it was another good performance last week, which was good for morale.

"It would be nice to win away and there should be nothing to fear at Kendal this week, although the pitch has apparently been a mess for the last month so it could be a forward battle on a quagmire."

Darlington were on minus two points after losing their first four games and failing to play at Fylde because they couldn't raise a front row.

But they are now fifth from the bottom and will start to feel safe if they can win at Kendal and beat fifth-placed New Brighton next week.

Blind side flanker Andrew Carphin has proved a good acquisition and Lee said: "He trained well in the summer but we just couldn't get him available early in the season.

"He has very good body angles close to the line and good upper body strength, which is why he's scoring so many tries.

"The club have been good to him and he seems to be enjoying it. We would be more than happy to keep him and if he keeps playing the way he is he could earn a contract.

"If things go well financially we will be looking to give out a few more contracts. The local lads are the ones who should be looked after. There are not many players available for signing and usually they are not as good as the ones we've got.

"The youth policy still seems to be working well. We've got five coming out of the Under 18s into the second team at the moment, including Richard Snowball's brother, James, who is a scrum half. That has to be the way forward."

After a run of games in the second team, former skipper David Andrew is expected to be on the bench at Kendal, with the team staying unchanged.

Mowden will be without player-coach Richard Arnold for the visit of Dudley Kingwinsford because of the hamstring injury he suffered last week.

Andy Foreman is also doubtful, but Chris Mattison has made himself available and will take over on the wing unless a Newcastle Academy boy keeps him out.

Martyn Bray will stay at fly half after an excellent performance at Macclesfield, while either Jonny Boatman or Eni Gisende will deputise for Arnold.

Blaydon have signed former Northern centre James Marwick, whose brother Dave is expected to keep his place at lock after deputising very capably for James Houghton last week.

Houghton is available for tomorrow's visit of Macclesfield and Dan Clappison should also be back. He could take over at full back from Colin Duncan, who has flu.

There are still doubts about centre Peter Kilburn, who has been out for five weeks with a shoulder problem which troubles him whenever he tries any contact work.