For the first time since 2002 Darlington end a campaign with little to play for.

But manager Dave Penney insists there is still plenty of reason to finish the season with a win over play-off chasing Stockport County.

The visitors are aiming to snatch a play-off place so will be backed by around 2,000 fans and, with Quakers having finally mathematically dropped out of the play-off race last week, Penney would love to spoil their day.

Stockport are locked in a two-way battle with Bristol Rovers for a play-off spot having taken their battle for a top-seven place to the last day of the season - a scenario Quakers fans are all too familiar with.

Last season and the year before, Darlington were at home to Cheltenham and Wrexham respectively and needed to win while relying on results elsewhere to go in their favour if they were to end up in the top seven.

Darlington fell short both times and today at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena, which hosts a crunch game on the final day of season for a third consecutive year, they are hoping to extinguish Stockport's hopes.

Bristol Rovers can do that themselves if they win at title-chasing Hartlepool United.

Quakers could have used today's match to blood inexperienced youngsters, but Penney is adamant his men are approaching the game seriously.

"We've got to try to do Bristol a favour if we can," he said. "We're the home team so the onus is on us to try to win the game.

"It would be easy for us to chuck a few kids in to give them the experience but we owe it Bristol to try to win so we're are going to field the strongest possible side we've got.

"If there was nothing riding on the game for both sides then people like Kevin Burgess, Sean Reay and Wayne Clark might have played."

Penney is adamant that changes need to be made if Quakers are to succeed next season.

He's already told six players their contracts will not be renewed and there will be more to follow once today's match is out of the way.

The identities of those being released will be made known next week, but Penney is already concentrating on bringing in replacements.

Since his appointment six months ago he has signed 14 players and released 14 and there will be further transfer activity this summer.

"It's been an eye-opening and encouraging six months," said Penney.

"The budget is decent, we can go out and buy a couple of players if we want so it'll be good to have a fresh start and I think the teams needs that in most areas.

"There were people at the club when I first came here, like Phil Stamp and Anthony Peacock, who weren't having an impact.

"We had a large squad but I didn't think some of them could affect the first team.

"I want players that can make a difference and not just be part of the squad for the sake of it."

The FA have warned Darlington, and all other clubs staging games which will have an affect on the play-off places, that the match must kick-off on time.

Clubs across the country have been warned they could face a fine if their game is delayed.

Of the expected 2,000 fans travelling from Stockport, 500 must pay on the gate, so Quakers are advising all supporters to arrive in good time.