City are preparing to kick off their pre-season "for real" at Darlington tonight.

Colin Todd's mix-and-match side have already rattled in 13 goals in two friendlies against non-league sides.

But the visit to the New Stadium in Todd's native north-east is seen as the first proper test ahead of the League One campaign.

Former Sunderland and Wimbledon right back Darren Holloway is set to play his first game and Todd is expecting a much tougher outing.

He said: "This is a better yardstick for us. I'm not being disrespectful to Harrogate or Farsley Celtic but now the opposition has that bit more quality.

"Playing against another professional side for the first time will give us a better gauge of what progress we've made."

Dean Windass has come back with a bang by hitting six goals in two games so far, including five in the first half at Throstle Nest on Saturday.

But the striker could have been lining up in pre-season as a Darlington player.

Windass was close to joining the League Two club at the time when City's situation had reached crisis point.

Darlington offered him a two-year deal, also involving a coaching role, which they claimed Windass agreed in principle.

But he decided to stay at Valley Parade and wants to play a key role in helping Todd rebuild the club's fortunes.

Windass does not expect any awkwardness with Darlington tonight.

"There are no problems. Their manager David Hodgson is all right about what happened," he said.

"The gaffer spoke to him but that's just the way football is. You have to get on with things and everyone's all right about it.

"As soon as I knew that Colin was getting the job at Bradford I wanted to stay.

"No doubt I'll get a bit of stick from their supporters but I can live with that, it's water off a duck's back to me.

"Once we get out there it's just another pre-season game and we're just trying to build on what we have done so far.

"It's more about fitness than results in pre-season friendlies, but obviously winning breeds confidence and that's what we want to take right into the first league game at Hartlepool."

Admission for away fans is £10 for adults and £5 concessions. Car parking at the stadium is £3. The game kicks off at 7.30pm.

l Banqueting suite tickets for Wayne Jacobs' testimonial against Bolton at Valley Parade on Saturday are available on 01274 591947 or 07880 526340.