Darlington boss Gary Bennett believes big names mean nothing in the third division.

That's why his side should not be fearful as they prepare for successive tough trips to Scunthorpe and Cardiff, both seeking quick returns to the second division after relegation last season.

Quakers visit Scunthorpe today and Cardiff on Tuesday and Bennett said: "Both of them are strong sides with good players and will be looking to regain their second division status at the first attempt.

"But they have found out that it's maybe not as easy as they might have thought.

"It's all about adapting to the third division and while Chesterfield seem to have done that, both Scunthorpe and Cardiff are finding it a bit more difficult.

"It shows that big names don't guarantee success. On paper you would expect teams like them to do well and win most games.

"We found that out last season when we had several big names in our side but didn't get the promotion people expected.

"You still have to perform and that's what it all comes down to."

Bennett also believes teams are raising their game to higher levels when they take on the likes of Cardiff, Scunthorpe and Darlington themselves.

"It's a scalp," he said. "Look at Kidderminster the other night when they beat us 2-1 at our ground.

"At the end of the game you would have thought they had won the cup by their reaction!

"That's what it means to some of the lesser-known clubs when they beat the likes of Cardiff, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe and ourselves. Teams will raise their game because of who we are and it's something we are all going to have to cope with."

Bennett is hoping his side can bounce back to winning ways at Glanford Park today after their first home league defeat of the season against Kidderminster.

"That was disappointing," he said. "We know we can do better than that, but we know where we are going wrong.

"We had enough chances to win that game and didn't take them. Glenn Naylor is doing well for us up front, having scored in the last three games, but we can't keep relying on him.

"We need others to chip in and that's what I will be looking for."

Bennett is expecting a physical test against Brian Laws' men, but will not be sacrificing his side's passing game.

"You don't abandon your principles and what you feel is right," he said. "You have to have the players to play certain ways and ours is suited to the passing game.

"Sometimes you have to be tough, but that doesn't mean not playing football. We like to pass it around, but we also have to be strong and it's about getting that combination right.

"Scunthorpe are a physical side and it's not an easy place to go to, but we will be positive and hopefully get something down there."

Bennett is forced to make one change today with skipper Martin Gray suspended.

Craig Liddle is expected to take the captaincy on his 29th birthday with Stuart Elliott likely to move into midfield and Adam Reed coming back at right-back.

But Brian Atkinson is also pushing for a first start of the season after a knee injury and may replace Jesper Hjorth from the side which lost on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Paul Beavers is to go on a three-month loan deal to Irish League side Coleraine