SIX POINTS from Darlington's next two games can make the Third Division club serious promotion contenders - that's the verdict of manager Tommy Taylor.

But it's a tall order as the matches against Rushden and Diamonds today and at Carlisle on Tuesday are away from home.

Darlington have not won on their travels in the League since the 2-1 victory over local rivals Hartlepool United on August 25 - the club's only away win with nine defeats.

Taylor, who knows that at Feethams his side are a completely different proposition, said: "That is exactly why we are not pushing harder for a play-off or promotion place and I want to get that right for next season.

"Me and Mick have got to get the players showing the same sort of commitment and belief away from home, and if we can do that this season we could be right up there.

"We have the players in the squad capable of taking all the points from both Rushden and Carlisle. It's a question of if the players believe they can do that after such a long time without an away win.

"If we do claim all the points then we will be right back in there and challenging for a play-off place.

"The league is so tight this season, before our last two games we were looking over our shoulders at the relegation threatened teams, now we are looking both ways."

Successes over Luton Town and Lincoln City in the last seven days have left Taylor's men just eight points behind Scunthorpe, who sit in the final play-off place, with two games in hand on most of the teams above them.

The emergence of 19-year-old striker Mark Sheeran, who has scored three goals in his last two substitute appearances, has played a major part in Darlington's rise.

But Taylor insists that, while being delighted with Sheeran, the full squad deserve praise.

"Sheeran is a great kid," said the Feethams chief. "He is a clever player who could do well for us.

"He took his goals well recently and I am pleased with him, but I'm pleased with all the players.

"Adam Rundle is another youngster doing well and he would have been starting against Rushden had he been fit.

"Andy Collett has been outstanding, Paul Heckingbottom is doing well, David Brightwell has been fantastic when he has played - I could go through the full lot.

"It's just important that they all keep showing the same form."

Rundle is ruled out of the trip to Nene Park after suffering concussion and striker Danny Mellanby is still missing.

Goalkeeper Andy Collett is rated at 50-50 to play with inexperienced Keith Finch standing by.

Meanwhile, Taylor indicated that there has been no further developments on the Michael Proctor transfer saga.

Darlington have agreed a fee with Sunderland, who have allowed the player to talk to Taylor.

But Taylor said: "The player's agent is still not allowing us to speak to the lad, even though everything has been agreed between us and Sunderland."

l Graham Liddle became the seventh player to leave Darlington when he joined Boston United.

Liddle follows Clint Marcelle, Kirk Jackson, Frank van der Geest, Brian Healy, Gary Himsworth and Adam Marsh out of the Feethams door since Taylor took over.

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