Darlington boss Mick Tait is determined not to allow the season to fizzle out quietly - and that could spell bad news for some of the club's fringe players.

With four games remaining and safety assured after last week's 5-1 demolition of Shrewsbury, Tait has revealed he will resist any temptation to ring the changes in a bid to finish the season as strongly as possible.

And Tait will be hard pushed to make any changes for this afternoon's clash at Macclesfield after seeing his side record their biggest win of the season seven days ago.

"I could make half a dozen changes if I wanted to but if you lose games you get slaughtered for it," said Tait.

"I'm in a no-win situation. I don't want to lose the last four games just by chucking people in for a trial period.

"That's not what football's about, it's about trying to win every game you play. If we can do that then it sets us up nicely for next season.

"A few years ago, when you were safe with six games to go, teams would lose their last six because they were chopping and changing.

"It's not a nice way to end the season."

Fans could be forgiven for thinking the season would peter out around about now but Tait is relishing a run-in which could see Quakers play their part in a relegation fight which is still wide open.

Macclesfield are just two points behind Quakers in the table but defeat for the Silkmen today could leave them within four points of the relegation zone, while next week's trip to Bristol Rovers promises to be just as crucial with the Pirates currently level on points with second-bottom Shrewsbury.

And while it will be Quakers' final game at Feethams when they host Leyton Orient in a fortnight's time, the Londoners may still have their own relegation problems to contend with.

"We might be safe but we've still got plenty to look forward to," said Tait.

"It's going to be a tough game against Macclesfield because they'll feel as if they need another point or two to make sure.

"We have Hull on Monday and the expectations at that club are huge so they're not going to want to let their supporters down by losing at the end of the season. Then we have Bristol Rovers to play and they might still need the points to stay up.

"Depending on what Leyton Orient do between now and when they play us they might still have something to play for because they're not out of it yet.

"It's also the last game at Feethams so there's something on every game."

With Clark Keltie returning from suspension and Paul Campbell netting twice in as many games for the reserves during the week, Tait has plenty of food for thought.

"It's nice for me because I've got lads who are doing very well," said Tait. And while Keltie may have to settle for a place on the bench this afternoon, Tait is delighted with the progress the 19-year-old has made in his first full season for the club.

"Clark is a great asset to the club," said Tait. "It's his first real season in League football and he's been absolutely outstanding.

"I've got to decide whether to put him back in or stick with the side which won on Saturday.

"I've got one or two selection problems but it's great for me.

"There's nothing worse than when you're down to the bare bones and you're left scratching your head wondering what to do."

Richard Hodgson is again ruled out with a niggling groin injury and Tait admitted the talented winger may not figure again this season.

"There's only three Saturdays left and by the time he has built his fitness up again the season will be over," said Tait.

Macclesfield are boosted by the return of Chris Priest from suspension but they are without Darren Dunning, who returned to Blackburn this week.

Silkmen boss David Moss has fitness doubts over Steve MacAuley and Steve Wilson.

Read more about the Quakers here.