Darlington skipper Martin Gray believes that a psychological barrier has been overcome as Quakers head for Blackpool today.

Quakers' confidence visibly improved last week as they beat Sudbury 6-1 in the first round of the Cup, and Gray thinks that the players can continue that form in the league.

Quakers lie in 17th place in the table, two places behind today's opponents.

But more worryingly, a run of six league games without a win has seen them slip to eight points off the bottom of the table.

"I'm hoping that the Sudbury game was the turning point of the season," said Gray. "Maybe a barrier has been overcome, because we were lacking in confidence in front of goal.

"Maybe the opposition wasn't from the Third Division, but there were still some well-created goals.

"We did a very professional job last week, because it could have been so easy to come unstuck against Sudbury."

Quakers have conceded the first goal in their last seven league and cup matches, and Gray added: "We've trained every day this week, instead of having a day off in the middle of the week.

"We've worked hard on keeping our shape and a few other things, which aren't bad things because they keep people on their toes."

And Gray has targeted a good run of results to take Quakers towards the Christmas and New Year programme.

"We want to try and climb the league before Christmas," he said. "You can have a good idea at Christmas where you're going to finish the season.

"We want to be in the chasing pack about then, because if we're not, then we're going to need a very good run in the last few months of the season."

Manager Gary Bennett, meanwhile, is hoping to sign 18-year-old striker Adam Marsh from Worksop on Monday.

Marsh scored twice for the reserves in midweek, and Bennett said: "He's coming for talks about signing for us.

"He's only a young lad who's got pace and plenty of potential."

Marsh isn't on contract at Worksop, which means Quakers don't need to pay a fee to the UniBond League club.

l Former Darlington striker Lee Nogan could be in line for a quick return to Feethams, as he has just signed on a month's loan for Second Division Luton Town and could face the Quakers in their FA Cup tie.

l Darlington's Youth Alliance home game this morning will be played at Doncaster.