Ryan Valentine remains upbeat about Darlington's promotion prospects.

Valentine is confident Quakers can overcome their recent slump, which has seen them drop from second to 14th in the table.

Quakers were beaten 1-0 at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, although Valentine insists there is enough quality in David Hodgson's squad to get their season back on track.

"The gaffer didn't really have much to say, but obviously we are all disappointed to have slipped further down the table," said Valentine.

"I still think we have the squad to go up, and I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before we start winning again."

A Richard Walker strike on the stroke of half-time was enough to hand managerless Rovers their first home win and consign Quakers to their third defeat of the season.

And, while Valentine admits Quakers were far from their best, the full-back felt they deserved more from the game.

The former Wales Under-21 international said: "We were solid enough in the first half without really getting into top gear.

"Overall I felt we had the better of them and it was disappointing to concede the way we did. We created more chances than they did, but it just didn't seem to go our way."

From a personal perspective, Valentine is satisfied with his own contribution, having emerged as one of Quakers' more consistent performers this season.

"I'm pleased with the way I've started the season, but I'd be a lot happier if we were sitting at the top of the table," he said.

"It's good to playing every week and I just hope I can do enough to keep my place for the rest of the season.

"There's a lot of competition for places in the squad now and I don't think anyone's place is safe."

Quakers entertain Boston United tomorrow night and the game can't come soon enough for Valentine.

He said: "After any defeat you want to play the next day to get the bad points out of your system.

"We play Boston on Tuesday and we have a chance to put things right."

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