Darlington have already kept four clean sheets this season and captain Steve Foster admits he is proud of the team's defensive record.

Saturday's 2-0 win at Rotherham means Quakers have conceded just two goals the first five games - their best defensive start since 1994/95 when, despite that beginning, they ended the season a lowly 20th.

Darlington can expect to finish much higher this time around, especially if the defence, in which Foster has been inspirational, maintains its reliability.

It took Quakers until their 15th league game of last season to record a fourth clean sheet, but Darlington reached that number in only their fifth match of this campaign at Millmoor.

The only blip so far is the two goals conceded in the home draw with Notts County last month.

Foster said: "Keeping clean sheets is a defender's job, it's what we're paid to do. But we do take pride in our clean sheets.

"It's important that you don't give sloppy goals away and give the opposition easy goals like we did against Notts County.

"It's important that we make it as difficult as we can for the opposition and at the moment I think we're doing that.

"I was disappointed with the Notts County result after we had been in a winning situation, but these things happen.

"After that we got back to work and worked on cutting out the silly goals that we conceded."

Made captain by Dave Penney as soon as he arrived in the summer, it is a position Foster is well used to having worn the armband while playing for both Doncaster and Scunthorpe.

Supporters have been impressed with Foster's leadership, and he admitted: "Being captain is something I enjoy and it's something that I think helps my game.

"Talking and shouting at your team-mates, for me that's part and parcel of your job.

"An important part of being captain is that you've got to make sure everyone is switched on and I feel that since the start of the season that's what we have been."

Darlington's reserves play at Lincoln today (2pm) with Clark Keltie expected to be in action for the first time this season.

The midfielder has been sidelined since pre-season with hamstring and ankle injuries.

Tickets for Darlington's cup match with Leeds United next month go on sale from 9am today with admission prices £10 adults and £5 concessions for under 16s, OAPs and students.

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy match takes place at the Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena on Tuesday, October 9 (7.30pm kick-off). Under 16s accompanied by a paying adult will gain free entry, but only if the ticket is purchased in advance.