NOTTS County face Darlington at Meadow Lane tonight – and boss Hans Backe said: "I don't care how we do it, but we have to win."

The Swede is still waiting for his first league win after four games.

And he insists nothing less than three points will do against the bottom side in the basement division, after six draws in their last eight games in League Two.

He said: "I really hope we are focused on this game and don't take anything for granted.

"I would be very happy just to get the win after all of the draws we have had. For me, it's only about three points.

"I don't care in what way we play, we have to win."

The Magpies could be without key central midfield duo Johnnie Jackson and Neal Bishop.

Jackson is definitely out with a knee ligament strain and Bishop will have a late fitness test after twisting his ankle in the FA Cup second round win at Bournemouth.

"So far they have been our two who have been playing most in central midfield. It's been a good balance with Jackson and Bishop," added Backe.

"Sometimes we have played three, with Ben Davies or Ricky Ravenhill central too.

"The depth in the squad is good enough to replace those two if we have to, we just have to cope with it."

Backe said the Magpies had to start games better, having fallen behind in the first half three times in the last six games.

"We can't wait to play football until we are one down," he said.

"The last three or four games have looked similar; we have struggled in the first half and then had a very good performance in the second half.

"The players have to take some responsibility individually when we start the game.

"The win at Bournemouth must be a boost for us and I hope we can show that tonight, even if we have got some injuries.

"That only means that some players that have been outside the team have to show what they can do.

"They (Darlington) have a lot of players on loan so we don't have a clue what team they will play.

"We have to focus on ourselves and how to start the game and take control of it."