Ex-Rovers stars play key role in Darlington's unbeaten start

They arrive at Millmoor to take on Rotherham United tomorrow (1pm kick-off) unbeaten and lying third.

Two wins and two draws is the 'Darlo' record so far and the win and the draw away from home have not seen them concede in either.

Penney, who moved in at Darlington last October, has added to his squad players with whom he is familiar from his Doncaster days.

Players such as central defender Steve Foster who was part of Scunthorpe's promotion side from League One last season but had previously played under Penney at Doncaster.

Former Rovers favourite Tim Ryan is in at left-back while midfielder Ricky Ravenhill rejoined Penney after being part of his success squad at Rovers. Another who wore the Rovers hoops under Penney is striker Greg Blundell and he works under him again now, although not as first-choice.

Keeping him out is one-time Huddersfield striker Pawel Abbott for whom Penney paid Swansea 100,000 in the close season.

Abbott - who should be among the leading scorers at this level - is partnering the rough and ready Tommy Wright who might easily have been wearing Rotherham colours this weekend.

Ex-Millers manager Alan Knill had Wright lined up for a move to Millmoor from Barnsley last season and it was all set to go through.

But then Darlington came calling and he moved there on loan, which was turned into a permanent move.

He is proving the sort of big frontman that most clubs seem to have in League Two.

Among the goals too is likely to be Julian Joachim, the one-time speedster who once made a 1.5 million move from Leicester to Aston Villa after making an impact at England Under-21 level.

After a brief spell at Leeds three years ago, he dropped into the lower reaches, but enjoyed success at Boston United to whom Darlington shelled out 100,000 a year ago for the little fella who is 33 in a couple of weeks.

One of Penney's summer recruits was Scott Wiseman who was on loan for six months with the Millers last season, while he also brought in defender Neil Austin from Barnsley.

Rotherham manager Mark Robins will need to check on the fitness of two injury doubts, central defender Ian Sharps and midfielder Peter Holmes.