Darlington manager Gary Bennett will use his players' last display against Chesterfield as motivation when the league leaders come to Feethams this afternoon.

Quakers last faced Chesterfield less than a month ago and produced one of their worst performances of the season in a 2-0 defeat.

But on the back of an improved run of results, confidence is coming back and Quakers go into the game in a better frame of mind, especially as they have played some better football recently.

Manager Gary Bennett said: "We want to set the record straight.

"The players know that they did not perform at Chesterfield on Boxing Day and I want them to bounce back.

"Their confidence has improved over the last three games and I think we will be able to pose Chesterfield more problems than we did at Christmas.

"We've changed our style of play since then. We were playing too many long balls, but now we play the ball more to feet.

"It's a big test for us but I'm expecting the players to raise their game and if we come through this, then I will start thinking that maybe we have turned the corner.

"The big difference to us is that I have been able to field a balanced side in the last three matches."

Bennett has several problems to consider before choosing his side for today's game.

Midfielder Brian Atkinson and striker John Williams have returned to training in the last couple of days, while he has to decide between Andy Collett and Frank Van Der Geest in goal.

And now that Neil Aspin has unexpectedly left the club, the door is open for Mark Kilty to establish himself in the centre of defence.

Chesterfield have more problems off the pitch than on it. They will probably be at full strength on the field, but three directors resigned this week, while the club has also to decide whether to move to a new ground.

Meanwhile, public relations director Luke Raine has responded to fans who are concerned about the way the club is being run. Some, whose worries were increased after the "mutual agreement" departure on Thursday of central defender Aspin, are planning a peaceful protest before this afternoon's game.

"We understand fans' concerns and do not dismiss their opinions lightly," he said. "But as a board we have set ourselves a plan of things we hope to achieve and we must stick to the agenda."