A Villain one week, a hero the next - in the space of seven days Darlington goalkeeper Michael Price has played both.

At Belle Vue on Saturday, the 20-year-old helped secure a point at Third Division leaders Doncaster Rovers, erasing the memories of a week earlier when Price was at fault for two goals in a 4-3 defeat at home to Cambridge.

And last night Quakers boss David Hodgson hailed Price for the way in which the Geordie stopper answered his critics at the weekend.

He said: "I'm delighted for Pricey because everybody will have been watching him after last week.

"He did everything right on Saturday. His kicking was excellent in very difficult conditions and he made some great saves to keep us in it. The lad has done fantastic to come back and play like that."

And after rivals Hartlepool refused permission for Price to work with goalkeeping coach Mark Prudhoe and Pool's keepers last week, Hodgson joked: "Pricey did himself proud, so I'm glad he didn't train with Hartlepool last week!"

Price was brought to the club on a short-term basis as cover for Andy Collett during the summer after being freed by Leicester City.

But after Collett picked up a shoulder injury in August, Price has gone on to keep eight clean sheets in 31 appearances, firmly establishing himself as Quakers' first-choice keeper, earning a contract until the end of the season in the process.

Collett recently called time on his career after failing to recover from the injury.

And with youth team keeper Jack Norton the only back-up for Price, Hodgson is considering bringing in an extra pair of hands before Thursday's transfer deadline. Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sam Russell will play for Darlington's reserves in tomorrow night's derby with Hartlepool at the Reynolds Arena. However, Hodgson has already ruled out a loan move for the 21-year-old.

Argentinian trialist Leandro Scartascini is ineligible to face Pool. The club is still awaiting the relevant documentation from South America to play the 19-year-old, who joined the club last week.

l Graham Rix will take over as manager of Oxford on a temporary basis. Rix has been handed the post following the suspension of Ian Atkins after rivals Bristol Rovers confirmed he would be their new manager next season.

Read more about the Quakers here.