DARLINGTON assistant manager Darren Holloway is willing supporters along tomorrow (3pm) to Blackwell Meadows to give the side a boost against York City.

The Quakers have had a tough start to term, missing out on their first two games due to Covid before picking up their first point of the season with a draw in the fourth round of fixtures.

Alun Armstrong’s men got their first win of term, 3-1 at Brackley Town, a fortnight ago but in midweek suffered disappointment in the FA Cup when they lost 1-0 at Chester in a second round qualifying replay.

But despite the underwhelming start to this National League North season, Darlington are five spots and just two points behind 12th-placed York, who had a stuttering start of their own.

“It’s a big game for us,” Holloway told Darlington's website. “At home, we expect a decent crowd there, and (York) will bring a few themselves.

“We know they have a slow start but they’ve picked up and they’ve got their ambitions themselves, going to a new ground.

“I’m sure they’ll be hoping to get promoted this year.

“We’ve got our own ambitions and we’ll be hoping for a good reaction after getting knocked out of the cup on Tuesday.

“It’s a great opportunity.

“We know we’ve had a stuttering, slow start to the season, and it’s not been ideal preparations, but we’re willing the fans to get behind the lads and give them as much support as possible.

“The lads will repay them. We’ve got an honest set of lads.

“We just ask that little bit of support to get the lads over the line. I’m sure it will come on Saturday with York coming into town.”

Darlington were forced to watch the first two rounds of this National League North campaign from the sidelines after the Quakers returned three positive coronavirus tests ahead of the season-opener against AFC Telford United, forcing their whole squad to isolate.

Among the infected was keeper Tommy Taylor, who says he is “feeling fine” after his bout with virus.

He has yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season, having let in 10 goals - but the Quakers’ deficiencies at the back have almost been balanced out by their ability to dig a goal out.

They have not yet failed to score this season, their nine goals spread across four players - skipper Will Hatfield (3), Luke Charman (3), Andrew Nelson and ex-Minsterman Jake Cassidy.

With two goals from five appearances this season, Welshman Cassidy is already reaping the benefits of his summer move to Teesside. That is, after all, twice as many as he managed in 12 appearances for York.

Another former City player in the Darlington ranks is Kallum Griffiths, whose wicked pace from right wing-back was put to excellent use by York boss Steve Watson during the 2019/20 campaign.

Up front, afficionados of the local game might spot a couple of interesting names.

Former Tadcaster Albion winger Kevin Santos has picked himself up a few minutes. The Portuguese 21-year-old has earned himself three starts this term.

Meanwhile, Junior Mondal - formerly of Northern Premier League premier division outfit Whitby Town - has accrued a couple of substitute appearances. Mondal was briefly with Forest Green Rovers before joining Fylde.