Having not scored for two and a half years, Steve Foster was so desperate to find the net again he would have been satisfied with a tap-in which, he admits, are his usual style of goal.

The former Scunthorpe United centre-back failed to find the net in each of the previous two seasons, his last goal coming in February 2005 while playing for Doncaster Rovers.

Bu that miserable run came to an end when he put Darlington ahead on Saturday with a goal that any striker would have been proud of, a volley rifled from the corner of the six yard box into the roof of the net.

Foster's strike in first half injury time set up Quakers for their first win in four games, a desperately-needed result which lifted Darlington up to fourth.

"I've had a few chances this season and was disappointed not to have scored any of them, so it was good to finally get off the mark but the way the ball went into the net makes it a little extra special," admitted Foster whose strike came via a Clark Keltie free-kick.

"The ball came to me and my instant reaction was to hit it first time. My goals are normally tap-ins and headers so that was probably the best goal I've ever scored.

"I just ran off and had to hope all the lads would come over and mob me which they did, I think they were happy for me.

"I hadn't scored for about two years, I'd been saying it was about time I did."

He almost scored a second after the break, this time after a corner was only partially cleared he fired a low shot towards goal that beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by Dagenham's Scott Griffiths.

"My arm was almost up in the air ready to go off and celebrate again," said Foster. "Their lad somehow got a foot to it to clear the ball off the line, I couldn't believe it!

"I was a bit disappointed with that, but I suppose I can't be too disappointed after that first goal.

"I'm delighted to get the goal but it's clean sheets that we're paid for."

Darlington have conceded just one goal away from home and kept six clean sheets, four of them in their five away games.

A major reason for that is the solid partnership formed by Foster and Alan White which again proved impenetrable on Saturday.

Foster said: "Even when we were under pressure we still felt comfortable, we just feel like anything that's thrown at us we'll deal with.

"I think it's proved to be that way for most of this season. We have conceded a few goals over the last few weeks but we're still delighted with how we've been performing.

"People might talk about me and Alan but I think the rest of the team have worked their socks off to not concede."