Darlington's dismal recent run of form came to end on Saturday following a 3-1 victory against Peterborough. That win was Darlo's first success in nine games and it also marked the debut of goalkeeper Lee Jones, who has arrived for a month on loan from League One side Blackpool. The 36-year-old has had limited opportunities for the Tangerines this season and when Quakers' boss Dave Penney enquired about the possibilities of a loan deal he jumped at the chance to have a run of first team games. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with the Welshman ahead of tonight's rearranged league game against Bury.
Q:YOU MUST HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH THE RESULT ON SATURDAY?
A:Obviously it's nice to get a win in your first game and it's just good to be playing again because I've only played four first team matches all season. I've signed an initial one-month deal but if things go well I hope to stay here until the end of the season and beyond.
Q:WAS IT A TOUGH DECISION TO GO OUT ON LOAN?
A:No not really because at my age I want to be playing on a regular basis. I had a loan spell at Bury earlier this season but apart from that I've had very little regular football. Last season I thought I did okay at Blackpool but in the summer Simon Grayson signed a new keeper and he's played the majority of games this season. It has been frustrating but I'm just glad to be playing again.
Q:HOW LONG HAVE YOU GOT LEFT ON YOUR CONTRACT AT BLACKPOOL?
A:It's until the end of the season but my deal at Darlington is with a view to permanent move so, if I like it here and they like me, there's a chance I could be staying here at least until the end of the season.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR EARLY IMPRESSIONS OF MANAGER DAVE PENNEY?
A:I knew Dave from when I was a young kid at Swansea and he was a player there and obviously he's done very well in a coaching capacity at Doncaster over the last few years. He phoned me up and asked if I would be interested in joining Darlington for a month and I thought it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
Q:ARE YOU ENJOYING THE TRAINING?
A:I haven't done much training because I only signed last week and then we were immediately preparing for the game against Peterborough and tonight we've got a rearranged match against Bury. But the training facilities look very good and the fact that they've got a full-time goalkeeping coach in Andy Collett is another plus.
Q:ANOTHER THREE POINTS TONIGHT AND DARLO COULD BE BACK IN THE PLAY-OFF PICTURE?
A:Yes, that's the aim. I know Darlington have been on a bad run but things are very tight in the league and they're still only six points off the play-offs. Another win tonight could take us to within three points of seventh-placed Bristol Rovers and, with 15 games to go, there's still everything to play for. Darlington are one of about eight or nine teams currently outside the top seven who still have a realistic chance of getting in the play-offs.
Q:HOW LONG DO YOU WANT TO CARRY ON PLAYING?
A:I'd like to play for as long as I can. Over the last few years I've picked up one or two niggling injuries but I'm fit and healthy now and just want to be playing. If I can stay fit I'd like to play until I'm 40 – whether anyone wants me when I'm 40 is a different matter.
