PETER JACKSON intends to give Town fans the "best possible Christmas present" with a Boxing Day win at Darlington (3.00).
Town head to the new Reynolds Arena for the first time desperate to improve on an away record scarred with seven defeats and just one draw since their dramatic three-pointer at Southend in October.
With David Hodgson's side second-bottom of the table and just placed into administration, Friday's clash looks ripe to start a play-off revival.
"We've got three massive games coming up this holiday and I've told the lads what is expected," said Jackson, whose squad have Christmas Day off.
"Friday is our halfway mark in the season when we will have played everyone, and I think it's clear that if we can do better away from home we have got nothing to fear in this division.
"We are going up to Darlington in a very positive mood and with the intention of defending properly and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
"Our fans will be up there in big numbers again, as they have been all season, and it's time we gave them something to cheer. Three points would be the best possible Christmas present."
Jackson expects striker Andy Booth to play despite a heavily strapped ankle.
Wing-back Nat Brown makes his 50th League appearance, while Jon Worthington is back in contention after completing a three-match ban and recovering quickly from hernia surgery. The whole squad will travel.
Darlington - Price, Liddle, Clarke, Hutchinson, James, Clark, Nicholls, Maddison, Hughes, Matthews, Wainwright. Subs: Pearson, McGurk, Collett, Alexander, Convery.
Town - (from) Senior, Brown, Lloyd, Yates, Clarke, Sodje, Fowler, Scott, Schofield, Booth, Stead, Onibuje, Mattis, Worthington, Holdsworth, Edwards, Martin.
Referee - David Pugh (Liverpool).
