Darlington skipper Martin Gray is hoping Quakers can start the game well at Cardiff City tonight.

Quakers conceded the first goal in an away game for the seventh successive time at Scunthorpe on Saturday, but they battled back to earn a point which kept them in eighth place in the table.

They are one point and three places ahead of tonight's opponents, who are unbeaten at home this season.

Gray, who returns from a one-match ban at Ninian Park, believes that if Quakers can overcome Cardiff's expected long-ball tactics, then they can make the 600-mile round trip worthwhile.

"We need to keep it tight early in the game," said Gray."If we can do that, then we'll do all right, because the lads took a lot of confidence from the game at Scunthorpe last Saturday.

"We conceded an early goal, but we battled back well and our overall play was very good, especially when you consider that we had to change the system because of the injury to Gary Himsworth.

"I was really pleased for Adam Reed, who came on as substitute and did well.

"We might have to soak up the pressure because Cardiff like to play a long ball game. I was with their manager, Alan Cork, at Fulham, and that's what he likes to play.

"But if we can get the ball to Richard Hodgson and Thomas Butler, then we've got every chance of scoring goals, because those two have got the ability to break down defences as they showed on Saturday.

"If we win, that means we're turning the corner again, and we can get on a winning run.

"It's still very tight, and three or four successive wins can make all the difference."

Defender Craig Liddle, who will hand the captain's armband back to Gray tonight, said: "Going a goal down early in the game is a little bit of a concern.

"We don't seem to be starting games properly, but I'm sure we'll get it right."

Manager Gary Bennett, meanwhile, might decide to change tactics by using a 3-5-2 formation from the start because of the injury to left back Gary Himsworth.

"We don't have any other left back in the squad," said Bennett. "Paul Heckingbottom is also injured, so we've got no cover.

"The system worked all right on Saturday after Gary went off, so we'll have a look at it before the game.

"Cardiff is going to be a hard game, but if we can match them just as we did Scunthorpe on Saturday, get hold of the ball and pass it to the best of our ability, then we'll cause problems."

Bennett added striker Gary Williamson to the squad which travelled yesterday because Dutchman Ton Kaak has joined an injury list which also includes Paul Heckingbottom, Mark Kilty and Paul Campbell.

There could also be the possibility of a brother versus brother clash tonight.

Darlington striker Lee Nogan - who has been capped by Wales - is almost certain to start the game up front alongside five-goal Glenn Naylor.

But hisbrother Kurt, who was bought by Cardif from Preston last season, hasn't established himself in the first team, and might only make the bench.

Cardiff will probably include new centre half Andrew Jordan, the son of former Scottish international Joe, after signing him yesterday for £30,000 from Bristol City, and left wing back Matt Brazier after a one-match suspension.

Darlington (from): Collett, Reed, Aspin, Liddle, Elliott, Hodgson, Butler, Atkinson, Gray, Hjorth, Nogan, Naylor, Van Der Geest, Walklate, Williamson, Angel, Tait, Skelton.

l Former Darlington assistant manager Ian Butterworth has been linked with a similar role at Cardiff. Ray Lewington, Robbie Earle and Ian Atkins are also in contention.

l Darlington striker Paul Beavers, who is on loan to Irish side Coleraine, scored on his debut last weekend.

l Former Darlington owner Mike Peden, who is trying to buy Scottish side Greenock Morton, was involved in a boardroom argument with player Mike Brownrigg after their defeat by Falkirk on Saturday. The player, who claims he hasn't been paid for two months, had to be escorted from the ground by police, and is now facing the sack