AFTER taking to the road for the last three games, Quakers' caretaker boss Mick Tait will be hoping to make Feethams home sweet home with a win over Southend United tomorrow.

Darlington have lost only one of their six games since Tait climbed into the hot seat, but know they have to start converting draws into wins to move away from the lower reaches of the Division Three table.

They will need to continue their improved form under Tait to take the three points against the Shrimpers, who showed they are dangerous opponents by scoring two late goals to dump Hartlepool out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

The latest in a string of fine performances saw Quakers recover from a 2-0 half-time deficit to take a point at Shrewsbury Town last Saturday.

Clark Keltie was again inspirational, smashing in the equaliser from 25 yards eight minutes from time and then hitting the bar with a free kick in injury time.

Quakers had been caught cold when Luke Rodgers put the Shrews ahead after 63 seconds and they looked to be heading for defeat when Ian Stevens added a second midway through the first half.

But Darlington, with on-loan keeper Michael Ingham in for the injured Andy Collett and Gary Pearson starting his first game of the season in the centre of defence, showed plenty of fighting spirit.

They pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute when Barry Conlon headed in Ryan Valentine's cross, before Keltie took centre stage.

The second-half show provided more evidence that Tait could be the man to get Quakers moving in the right direction, but they are still only five points clear of the bottom and need wins urgently.

There will be plenty of competition for places at the back tomorrow as Stuart Whitehead and Matt Clarke are both back in contention.

Whitehead, who has missed the last two games with a rib injury, played the full 90 minutes of a practice match at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Clarke, who missed the Shrewsbury game through suspension, also played the full game to stake a claim for a quick recall.

Meanwhile, Tait is still hopeful that Sunderland will allow Ingham to play in the FA Cup tie against Stevenage next Saturday.