ROOKIE goalkeeper David Stockdale has played a crucial role in Darlington's promising start to the season, but he says one of his predecessors is to thank for his good form.

Former Quakers goalkeeper Andy Collett is now the club's part-time goalkeeping coach and Stockdale, who saved a penalty in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Macclesfield Town, says Collett's influence on the training ground has been crucial.

"Andy is a massive influence," said Stockdale who turns 22 later this month. "For the last year or so he has put a lot of time and effort into me. He has even come in on days off and might have fallen out with his Mrs over it a few times!

Stockdale's impressive first half penalty save to deny Kevin McIntyre helped Darlington maintain their unbeaten start to the season, but he preferred a second half stop which prevented Martin Gritton from scoring.

"On another day their player might have gone for the other corner and I wouldn't have saved it, it was just goalkeeper's instinct really," said Stockdale.

"I liked the save in the second-half. I like making saves anyway but it was made during play, unlike the penalty, and we were under the cosh in an away game at a difficult place to play."

The Quakers travel to Millmoor on Saturday to face Rotherham United, kick-off 3pm.