Loan stars could be key - Penney

Clarke and Hatch have impressed at the Arena this season

Darlington manager Dave Penney believes exploiting the loan market could be the key to gaining promotion from League Two this season.

Penney has already seen strikers Billy Clarke and Liam Hatch impress after joining the club on loan and is keen to bring in other new signings.

"Hereford used the system very well last year," he told BBC Tees.

"We've got a reputation for bringing players in and getting them to do well and we'll keep bringing players in."

Darlington currently lie eighth in League Two, one place outside the play-off places.

The Quakers failed in the play-offs last season and Penney admitted it is difficult to pick a clear favourite for promotion in this campaign.

"Bradford are better than last year, and so too are Shrewsbury," he said.

"It's a tougher league but I think we're better equipped. We're down on numbers but there's more quality."

The bottom three spots in League Two are currently occupied by Luton, Bournemouth and Rotherham, clubs who have all been docked points.

All three were relegated from League One last season, and Penney says the strength of the sides at the bottom of the table can throw up some strange results.

"The three teams that are down there can beat anybody, and it's a strange one when you see bottom beating top," he said.