Thirteen years ago at Scunthorpe, Darlington experienced the worst day of the club's existence when they were relegated to the GM Vauxhall Conference.

Today the Quakers have the chance of inflicting that same fate on Halifax.

Halifax come to Feethams knowing that defeat will see them become the first team to lose their League status twice.

Darlington pulled themselves clear of the relegation mire with Saturday's surprise win at Hull, while the previous evening Halifax had been held to a 2-2 home draw courtesy of Carlisle's last- minute leveller.

That result means if Darlington win today, and Bristol Rovers beat Kidderminster at home, Halifax will be pushed through the relegation trapdoor into the Nationwide Conference.

A defeat for the Shaymen and a Rovers draw would mean Halifax would mathematically have a chance of survival.

But they would have to win all three of their remaining matches and reduce their goal difference by scoring 23 goals without reply.

Halifax caretaker manager Neil Redfearn has not yet given up the fight, and said: "We have to go to Darlington in a positive frame of mind believing we can win because we have to get something out of it.

"All we can do is go there and win and keep trying to do that to show the fans that we desperately want to stay up."

Quakers' chief Tommy Taylor is not underestimating today's task and says he is well aware Halifax arrive at Feethams with nothing to lose.

"They play a 4-3-3 and the goalkeeper Barry Richardson - who used to play for Lincoln - can kick the ball for miles so the ball will be reaching our penalty area from him.

"They will be going for it. They have to, there's no doubt about that. It's up to us to make sure we're ready for the battle.

"Mick Tait and I went down to watch them against Carlisle. They worked ever so hard and were unlucky not to win."

Darlington were without the injured Neil Wainwright (groin) on Saturday but Taylor is hoping he'll return today, while Neil Maddison should miss the game.

Read more about the Quakers here.