DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett has warned his players to be on their guard at Mansfield today.

Quakers go to a refurbished Field Mill unbeaten in their last five matches and having suffered just one defeat in their last ten, a stark contrast to their dismal displays around the turn of the year.

But despite that good form, they are still just six points above the relegation trapdoor and need at least one more win, possibly two, to ensure safety.

Should they win today they will leapfrog today's opponents, who not so long ago were among the play-off contenders. They have faded badly over the last two months, losing to some of Quakers' fellow strugglers.

"We must be wary of the backlash from Mansfield," said Bennett. "They haven't done well in their last few games and they'll be wanting to bounce back against us.

"The relegation fight is far from over. We must continue to battle and play the way we have been over the last few weeks.

"We have eight games left and I would like us to win all eight. We're going there to get all three points. We won't be going deliberately to look for a draw.

"If it means we need two or three wins to make sure we're safe, then I want us to get them as soon as possible."

Bottom club Torquay have a difficult game at promotion-chasing Cardiff today and two more clubs below Quakers, Carlisle and Lincoln, face each other, but Bennett won't be taking too much notice.

"I'm not worried about what other clubs do. All I'm bothered about is us picking up three points, then we'll look at the other results.

"We might have a bit of a cushion but I'm not taking that into consideration."

Bennett believes that the introduction of Frenchman Alex Jeannin has given Quakers a timely boost in the last three matches, with a change in tactics to three central defenders and two wingbacks.

"Alex has given us better balance in the side and has complemented Craig Liddle in the centre of defence,'' said Bennett.

"He can read the game very well and is very comfortable on the ball. Craig himself feels far more settled and comfortable so defensively, we're quite sound."

"Our luck needs to change in front of goal but at least we're creating chances. I would be a lot more worried if we weren't creating chances."

Today will see the return to Field Mill of wing back Steve Harper, who played 160 games for the Stags and scored a hat-trick for Mansfield against Quakers in a 4-0 win four years ago.

The 32-year-old was suffering from illness on Tuesday night, but is now fully recovered.

Read more about the Quakers here.