Darlington boss Dave Penney is hoping the decision to stage a mock penalty shoot-out will mean his players are well prepared.Watford memorably did exactly the same two years ago before Adrian Boothroyd's side clinched promotion to the Premier League, and Penney is desperate to get his squad ready for every eventuality after staging one following last weekend's 3-2 defeat at home to Dagenham.

"I thought it was a good idea because some players aren't used to taking penalties in front of a crowd," Penney told the Northern Echo.

"It's quite easy to take penalties on a training pitch but there aren't any people there to replicate the atmosphere. You don't have people behind the goal trying to put you off.

"Hopefully it will stand us in good stead if we get to that stage in the play-offs."

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