Durham City targeting their first point at home

Source: Newcastle Evening Chronicle

Mar 16 2010 Evening Chronicle

AFTER ending a 28-game losing run in the UniBond Premier Division, Durham City are targeting their first point at home tonight.

City take on Harry Dunn’s Whitby Town at the Esh Stadium on the back of a famous 2-1 win over FC United of Manchester on Saturday.

Durham boss Lee Collings, suspended by the FA until the end of the season, was delighted his side had ended their long losing run – but was gutted not to be at Gigg Lane.

Collings said: “I always felt we would win eventually, and it would have been great to see the lads finally have their day in the sun.

“I did not realise how bad it would be being out of the loop, but myself and assistant boss Dickie Ord cracked open a bottle of champagne on Sunday to celebrate the win.

“It would be great to back it up with a result against Whitby in front of our home fans, but we are not getting carried away by one result.

“Dan Sanders and Marc Batey have given us strength at the centre of defence and the FC United victory has given everyone a lift.

“Whitby are a decent side, and Harry Dunn will have them organised and dangerous from set plays so it will be another tough game.”

Rufus Ayres could be recalled to what is likely to otherwise be an unchanged side as Durham look to pull off another shock.

Whitby, 12th in the table, have lost three of their last four away games conceding 10 goals but, like all of Durham’s opponents, have a much more experienced squad.

The Seasiders have a doubt over former £1m striker Andy Campbell, who missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ashton United.

Whitby, however, include a number of former Blyth Spartans players, including Andy Leeson, Alex Gildea and Ged Dalton, the latter struggling through injury.