Darlington

Hereford v Darlington
Andy Williams could return for Hereford after recovering from a knee injury and a throat infection. Manager Graham Turner is without any injury or suspension worries while new loan signing John Eustace could be brought straight into the side. Darlington are without Patrick Collins (stomach), David Duke (back) and Gaetano Giallanza (knee). Brian Close (hamstring) is once again doubtful but defender Darren Holloway returns following a one-match ban.

Hereford 1-1 Darlington
Hereford skipper Tamika Mkandawire salvaged a point for his side in a lively game with Darlington. The visitors had the best chances with striker Alun Armstrong scoring on 37 minutes to put Darlington in front. Goalkeeper Wayne Brown reacted superbly to parry a Brian Close effort but was unable to stop former Middlesbrough striker Armstrong turning the ball in. Mkandawire came to Hereford's rescue, heading home John Eustace's pinpoint free-kick in the 71st minute. Hereford: Brown, Beckwith, Mkandawire, Giles (Gulliver 32), McClenahan, Eustace, Purdie (Connell 63), Rose, Travis, Fleetwood, Williams. Subs Not Used: Thompson, Webb, Sills. Goals: Mkandawire 71. Darlington: Russell, Close, Holloway, Hutchinson, Horwood, Ngoma (Carlos Logan 78), Keltie, Cummins (Rowson 33), Wainwright, Armstrong (Conlon 66), Smith. Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Johnson. Goals: Armstrong 37. Att: 2,838 Ref: G Sailsbury (Lancashire).

Hodgson determined to clear name
Former Darlington manager David Hodgson said he will appeal after the League Two side released a statement outlining their reasons for sacking him. The club said the decision followed their own investigation into an alleged breach of Football League rules concerning payments to agents. At an internal inquiry, the club upheld two of five allegations against him. \"I'll appeal, which I'm entitled to, which I will be doing, with immediate effect,\" he told SSB. Hodgson was officially dismissed on 4 October after being suspended from his duties on 30 September. The club say they have passed their findings on to the FA and the Football League. The club lost 5-0 at home against Rochdale on 6 October in their first match after Hodgson's sacking and are 14th in League Two.

Darlington v Barnet
Darlington are without Julian Joachim, who has a hamstring problem, and Craig James, who is suspended. But defender Patrick Collins (stomach), midfielder David Duke (back) and striker Gaetano Giallanza (knee) are all available to return. Barnet may go with youth after the 5-0 defeat at Lincoln. Joe Devera and Ismail Yakubu, who played in the midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy encounter at Notts County, did well enough to be in contention again.

Darlington 2-0 Barnet
Darlington claimed their first win in six matches with two late goals. Barnet almost opened the scoring when Anthony Charles' header was cleared off the line by Michael Cummins, before Tresor Kandol hit the post. The game finally came alive when Simon Johnson swept home Martin Smith's 75th-minute cross from six yards. The Quakers sealed their victory when the unfortunate Joe Devera put Neil Wainwright's centre through his own net three minutes later. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darlington: Russell, Close, Hutchinson, Holloway, Horwood (Collins 27), Wainwright, Keltie, Cummins, Ngoma (Giallanza 53), Armstrong (Johnson 67), Smith. Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Rowson. Booked: Collins. Goals: Johnson 75, Devera 78 og. Barnet: Flitney, Devera, Charles, Yakubu, Nicolau, Bailey, Sinclair, Hessenthaler, Graham, Vieira (Grazioli 73), Kandol. Subs Not Used: Janiez-Ruin, Hendon, Warhurst, Cogan. Booked: Bailey, Kandol, Hessenthaler. Att: 3,268. Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

Penney in running for Quakers job
Darlington have said that former Doncaster manager Dave Penney is one of the names on a four-man shortlist to fill the manager's post at the club. The Quakers have been without a boss since sacking David Hodgson and a club spokesman said Penney and caretaker boss Martin Gray are in the running. \"We have a shortlist of four,\" he said. \"We are in the process of interviewing those prospective candidates right now. \"It would be accurate to report that they are two of the names on our list.\"

Hartlepool v Darlington
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson is waiting on several players with \"knocks and niggles\" before naming his squad. Wilson would not name those who could miss out but leading scorer Jon Daly is available after his red card against Chester was rescinded on appeal. Defender Matt Clarke goes straight into the Darlington squad after returning to the club on loan from Bradford. Midfielder Michael Cummins sustained a slight knock against Barnet but is expected to be fit.

Hartlepool 0-0 Darlington
Hartlepool had the better of a hard-fought derby against their north-east rivals, but could not unlock a well-marshalled Darlington defence. Hartlepool came close when Darlington defender Brian Close almost put through his own net, but Sam Russell saved. The best home chance came after 72 minutes when sub James Brown blasted over with only Russell to beat. The Darlington keeper made two good saves from Michael Nelson headers as the home team piled forward. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Liddle, Boland, Robson, Foley (Bullock 88), Daly, Porter (Brown 69). Subs Not Used: Provett, Brackstone, Darren Williams. Booked: Barron, Daly. Darlington: Russell, Collins, Hutchinson, Clarke, Close, Wainwright, Keltie, Cummins, Smith, Armstrong (Conlon 62), Joachim (Johnson 46). Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Holloway, Rowson. Booked: Keltie. Att: 7,458. Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Penney named as Darlington boss
Darlington have appointed former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney as their new manager. Caretaker boss Martin Gray will stay at the club as Penney's assistant. Penney, 42, parted company with Rovers in August after four-and-a-half years in charge, during which time he guided them from the Conference to League One. He succeeds David Hodgson, who was sacked on 4 October after the club had suspended him while they carried out an internal investigation. Gray and fellow coach Neil Maddison had been in caretaker charge since the departure of Hodgson, who has subsequently taken legal advice. Chairman George Houghton also recently announced that he was planning to appoint a director of football to work with the new manager. \"This is a major coup for Darlington Football Club,\" Houghton said of his new appointment. \"Dave Penney is regarded as one of the most talented young managers around. His achievements with Doncaster were exceptional and we are delighted he has chosen to come to Darlington. \"Dave's ambition matches that of this club and we will give him all the support and backing he needs to bring long-awaited success to Darlington. \"We'd like to thank Martin for his sterling work over the last couple of weeks, and we believe he and Dave will make an excellent team.\"

Dripping Pan to face inspection
Lewes have been told that their Dripping Pan ground will require a further safety inspection before their FA Cup first-round tie can go ahead. The Conference South side are due to host Darlington on 11 November. Officials have been given a list of works to complete, and the police will revisit the ground early next week. Lewes will secure an alternative venue as back-up, but chairman Terry Paris is confident they will not need it, reports SSB.

New formation pleases Wainwright
Darlington winger Neil Wainwright feels the switch to a 4-4-2 formation will improve his chances of keeping his place in the starting line-up. The former Sunderland player has only made five League starts for the club and they have come since the arrival of boss Dave Penney. Wainwright told the club website: \"It's my formation so I was pleased when he has come in with that. \"It is up to me to try and stay in the side and give my season a kick-start.\"

Lewes v Darlington
Lewes midfielder Simon Wormull is doubtful with a dead leg, while Lee Farrell faces a race to be fit with a hamstring injury. Frenchman Jean-Michel Sigere is hopeful of shaking off a calf strain that kept him out of the league defeat to Histon. Darlington have been refused permission by Bradford to field on-loan defender Matt Clarke. Phil Stamp and Julian Joachim are fighting hamstring injuries, Ville Vaisanen is a doubt with a back injury.

Darlington v MK Dons
Darlington's new loan signings Mark Albrighton and Anthony Griffith are in contention for starting places. Darren Holloway (hamstring) is out and, while Phil Stamp and Julian Joachim (both hamstring) have recently returned to training, they are unlikely to play. MK Dons are set to hand a debut to new loan-signing Paul Butler and Lee Harper (knee) is also in contention. Sean O'Hanlon (head) and Aaron Wilbraham are doubts but Lloyd Dyer is back after the birth of his daughter.

Penney keen to strengthen squad
Darlington boss Dave Penney plans to use the funds freed by the release of defender Ville Vaisanen to strengthen his squad in January. \"Ville leaving gives us extra money to spend in January and that was the thinking behind it,\" Penney said. \"Recent events have helped me decide where we need to strengthen as maybe those six wins papered over the cracks. \"We have suffered defensively with a lot of injuries and we have not been taking our chances in front of goal.\"

Darlington v Notts County
Darlington could have Darren Holloway back to give boss Dave Penney a much-needed defensive boost. He has been out for a month with a hamstring injury, but is needed with Joey Hutchinson (hip) and Mark Albrighton (hamstring) both ruled out. Notts County are without David Pipe and veteran striker Jason Lee. Pipe is out for three weeks with an ankle injury, while Lee is suspended. Midfielder Tom Curtis is fit again and back in contention.

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