GUY BATES may have provided manager David Hodgson with a reminder of his goalscoring instincts yesterday but the Darlington striker does not expect to walk straight into his new side.

Bates and young defender Alex Janes were both on target as Darlington reserves sealed a 2-0 win at Hull City, a match which also featured an appearance for the Quakers by Alun Armstrong, released by Rushden recently.

Bates may have done his chances of starting against Bristol Rovers this weekend no harm after scoring against the Tigers, but the 20-year-old is refusing to make any assumptions.

Bates made his Quakers debut as a second-half substitute in Saturday's draw at Boston.

Akpo Sodje and Kyle Lafferty led the line at York Street and Bates admitted: "They are two very good strikers, which obviously makes it very difficult for me. I'm still not 100 per-cent fit but all I can do is work hard and hopefully take my chance when it comes my way.

"It's good for the gaffer to have a bit of healthy competition and that's what I'm here to do."

Quakers can extend their unbeaten run to six games this weekend, when Hodgson expects to welcome back Jonjo Dickman.

The midfielder missed the draw at Boston with an ankle injury.

Hodgson's men have not conceded a goal in their last four games. The last time they kept five consecutive clean sheets was during the 1990/91 season when they won the Fourth Division title.

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