GOING one better than last season would mean automatic promotion for Darlington, and goalkeeper Peter Jameson has his own statistic he would like to improve.

While Quakers finished second en route to promotion via the play-offs in 2014-15, they kept 21 clean sheets along the way and Jameson wants to top that number in the months ahead.

Having missed an FA Trophy game as well as the play-off final against Bamber Bridge due to suspension, Jameson was in goal for 19 of Darlington’s shut-outs so knows what his target it is, while manager Martin Gray is eager to see his number one better his statistic from last season.

“I love clean sheets and I’d like to beat that number from last season,” said Jameson, whose team start the season away to Buxton tomorrow before facing Frickley Athletic at Heritage Park on Tuesday.

“Clean sheets are really important for me and Martin is always talking about them as well.

“I did well last season, but I want to go one better than last season and there’s always areas I can improve.

“Coming for crosses has been an issue, taking pressure off the back four, or even punching crosses, so that’s an area that me and Martin have had a good chat about.

“When I came here I had a lot to prove and I’ve still got improvement to make. I’m at the right club with the right people to do that. People like Martin, Jim Provett and Tony Norman are putting me in the right direction.”

The experienced Mark Bell stepped in for the play-off final, Jameson having been red-carded a fortnight previously.

“I was relieved it was only for one game so I don’t miss the start of the season,” added the 22-year-old. “It was horrible watching the play-off final, but I was so confident in the lads. Belly came into the team, he’s so experienced, so Martin didn’t have any problems there.”

However, there will be no Bell to call on this season as he has joined Bishop Auckland, a move which underpins Jameson status’ as Quakers’ first-choice.

Former Hartlepool United goalkeeper Provett is Jameson’s coach and the 32-year-old has registered as a player to provide back-up.

“Belly was brilliant for me,” said Jameson. “It was a difficult one because he wanted to play too, so he had to make that difficult decision to leave.

“I come back for pre-season and my aim is to keep that number one spot because if I’m not up to standard I know Martin will look elsewhere.

“It’s a massive club at this level so Martin doesn’t need to persuade people to come in.

“Where I work there’s a couple of lads who play in the Northern League and Wearside League and they want to be at our level. They say they’d like to come here but they probably wouldn’t like it because even though it’s part-time we treat it like it’s full-time.”

While Jameson was with Gateshead in the Conference as a teenager, he did not see any action – “I was in the squad so travelled to games but didn’t play” – so the Evo-Stik Premier Division represents a new test for the former Consett keeper.

He said: “A lot of new players have come to the club and it’s going to be a better standard. I haven’t played at this level before so it’ll be a challenge, but with the lads in the changing room we’ve got I’m feeling confident.

“I know Phil Turnbull from my time at Gateshead and he’s outstanding, but Kevin Burgess is absolutely solid, he’s a rock. He’s got all the right attributes to be captain.

“He’s aggressive, but he’s got a good head on him and he’ll talk to the younger lads during the game. I haven’t played against him before and I’m glad I haven’t!”