Darlington's defensive problems have been a cause for concern in recent weeks, with injuries weakening a team whose back four had been developing a Scrooge-like reputation when it came to giving goals away.

Until recently, Quakers had conceded just twice in eight games but they have now shipped nine in their last three matches.

In 18 crazy first-half minutes at Edgeley Park last week Stockport County plundered four goals on their way to becoming the second team to score five past Darlington this season.

Rochdale did it in October but Quakers recovered to draw 1-1 at Hereford United in their following game, thanks to a goal from Alun Armstrong - the last time Quakers' goal-shy striker found the back of the net.

Despite Darlington's recent defensive failings, manager Dave Penney is now calling on Armstrong and his fellow forwards to take the focus away from the defence by re-finding their goal touch against Notts County today.

With injuries dictating team selection last week - Brian Close moved to centre-back and Neil Wainwright to right-back - the team's frailties were almost grudgingly accepted. But Darren Holloway's return today should remove some of the uncertainty which dogged Darlington at Stockport.

In turn, Penney wants a return to form from his forwards, whose lack of goals has been masked by Martin Smith, the club's undoubted player of the season so far, who has found the net eight times from midfield.

Holloway, 29, returns after hamstring trouble but Penney admitted: "The lack of goals from centre forwards is a concern.

"They've had chances but they've got to make sure they start putting them away.

"I've been here nine games now and only Simon Johnson has scored a goal from open play. Gaetano Giallanza scored a penalty in my first game.

"Martin Smith has done great for us from wide left but we're looking to Alun, Julian Joachim and Barry Conlon to score."

Penney signed Armstrong at Doncaster last season and added: "At Doncaster we had a problem in that Alun couldn't get into the position to score; now he's finding positions but he's still not scoring.

"He's looking great in training, so sooner or later he'll be scoring.

"Julian is a quality player and he's played at the highest level. He's got two full matches under his belt now and trained for the last month, so hopefully he'll feel the benefit of that on Saturday.

"He's only played two 90-minute games now but I've seen enough to know he can score goals at this level and I've seen him in training enough to know that he'll score."

Today's visitors are eighth - one place above Darlington - but have lost their last three games, including last week's defeat to bottom-of-the-table Macclesfield Town.

Although Holloway returns today, Joey Hutchinson, Mark Albrighton and Giallanza remain sidelined and Penney is looking forward to the transfer window opening in January, when he will add to the squad.

Defenders are a priority though, with Sam Russell also injured, he is also considering signing a keeper on loan.

Before then Darlington have another three games to play as they seek to end their three-game losing run.

Penney said: "It's important we keep some momentum going and then get some new bodies in during the transfer window as well as get some players fit.

"We knew the winning run would end one day and the losing run will end too, but we've got to make do with what we've got for now.

"It's important we get back to winning ways but there's no crises of confidence.

"We just want to get back up to at least eighth and keep a good position over Christmas until we can add some bodies to the squad.

"We've bounced back, the lads did it at Hereford before I came here, and they realise the situation we're in defensively.

"We had not conceded many goals but all of a sudden we lost personnel defensively and so we started looking vulnerable.

"We made some horrendous mistakes at Stockport. We've watched the video and we made a catalogue of defensive errors in the first half.

"Sometimes, needs must and players have to play out of position - I did it many times myself in my career and many other players have done too.

"You have to do whatever is necessary to help the team out.

"Defensive injuries have cost us but we're at home on Saturday so hopefully we won't have as much defending to do."