Darlington manager Mick Tait has called on his players to finish the season with a flourish.

Having reached the 50-point survival target set by Tait after Saturday's 5-1 mauling of Shrewsbury, the caretaker boss has now challenged his side to give fans something to look forward to next season with a good finale to an otherwise disappointing campaign.

"We've got to be positive and try and go until the end of the season without losing any matches," said Tait.

"If we can do that then it will give us a bit of confidence to take into next season. We might be safe but we still need to go into all of our games with the same sort of attitude and finish the season well."

While Quakers virtually guaranteed their League status with victory at the weekend, some of their opponents in the coming weeks still have points to play for.

"We've still got some big games coming up against teams who are scrapping for their lives," said Tait.

"Hull will be a cracking game here then we've got Bristol Rovers away which will be one hell of a game because they still need points.

"Our lads haven't really felt any pressure even when there was just a six-point gap. Their attitude in training has been excellent, they've enjoyed themselves, played some great stuff and looked as if there wasn't a care in the world.

"We can enjoy these games coming up but we will still be approaching them in the same way and making sure we get as many points on the board."

Midfielder Clark Keltie returns from suspension this weekend, although the 19-year-old faces a fight to regain his place.

Adam Reed and Paul Campbell netted the goals in last night's 2-0 reserve win over Scarborough at Feethams. Mark Sheeran suffered an injury scare when he limped off with what appeared to be a recurrence of an ankle injury.

Scarborough fielded defender Gordon Simms, who has recently been freed by Hartlepool.

* Focused Mike Newell hopes a show of patience from the Hartlepool United fans will be rewarded in the coming weeks, writes Nick Loughlin.

Pool put their sticky patch behind them with a 4-1 win over Orient last Saturday, a result which left them seeking one more point to secure promotion.

Pool go to Scunthorpe this weekend before they have back-to-back home games against Rochdale on Easter Monday and Shrewsbury on April 26.

And Newell, whose side will be backed by 2,000 fans at Glanford Park this weekend, hopes a packed Victoria Park on Easter Monday will leave their nerves at home.

"It doesn't surprise me that the crowd and supporters can get a bit nervous or impatient at the games,'' he confessed.

"They expected us to beat Orient and they expect us to win the division because we have been top of the table for so long.

"If the team starts nervously then that spreads right through the ground and the fans feel it too and start getting on their backs.

"If you get the crowd on your side from the word go it can make all the difference.

"I keep saying that all the fans are entitled to their opinion, but we are all seeking the same thing as they want.

"When they get behind us it can make a big difference to the players.

"When you hear the crowd getting a bit edgy, it is understandable and I think it might be because they have never won anything and they know they are never going to get any closer than they are now.

"It's not down to a lack of effort that we have nearly been caught up. All that happened was that we had a bad patch - and when I say bad patch I mean we lost a couple of games and drew a couple.

"They are not machines or robots, so they are always going to have a sticky spell.

"You get what you deserve over 46 games when the season ends. The league is the best judge about who is the best team.''

The boss had words of praise for striker Kevin Henderson.

He made his first start at Victoria Park this season against Orient and was afforded a standing ovation when he was replaced in the closing stages.

Although he didn't score, he caused plenty of problems for the visiting defence and Newell, a former Premiership striker, said: "He earned that sort of reception and he deserved it as well.

"Credit to him because he has been really patient since I came here. He's been fantastic in training and reserve games all along.

"He is a wholehearted player and is fully behind the lads. The ovation said everything about his performance.''

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