Released Darlington keeper Chris Porter last night spoke of his disappointment after he was told he had no future at the club.

Out of contract in the summer, the former Sunderland shot-stopper was informed by Quakers' boss Mick Tait that there would be no offer of a new deal.

And Porter, who has impressed when called upon in the five starts he has made this season, admitted himself that the news came as a huge shock.

"To be fair I was in quite confident mood that I'd be getting a new contract," said Porter.

"I'd been doing OK all season and I was pretty pleased with my performances when I came into the first-team.

"It did come as a shock but these kind of things happen in football - all I can do is pick myself up and get on with things."

Tait is understood to have targeted a more experienced understudy to first choice goalkeeper Andy Collett, which 23-year-old Porter feels has put him in an impossible position.

He said: "The manager has told me he wants an experienced keeper so what can I do? If I don't play then I'm not going to get the experience."

In November a rib injury to Collett appeared to pave the way for a rare opportunity for Porter to impress.

But even during Collett's eight-match absence, Porter appeared just twice as Tait opted for loan cover with the arrival firstly of Sunderland keeper Michael Ingham (recalled), followed by Preston's Andy Lonergan (returned injured) and one appearance from Middlesbrough's Sam Russell.

"When Andy was injured during Christmas it was disappointing not to get a chance when they brought in the loan keepers," said Porter.

"I've proved what I could do in the games I played in and I was really pleased with my last performance against Hull on Bank Holiday Monday."

Middlesbrough-born Porter has already begun his search for a new club and was last week training with Paul Groves' Grimsby.

"My agent has got to work straight away and got the ball rolling so I went down to Grimsby last week," said Porter, who has already had spells at Sunderland, Southend, Hartlepool and in Iceland with Leiftur.

"I'll be training with them again and hopefully they'll be able to get a better look at me in pre-season,'' he added.

"It's a bit frustrating having to start all over again but it's something you just have to take on the chin. I was with a great set of lads at Darlington and its disappointing to think I won't be going back.

"I enjoyed my time there and I hope everything works out for the lads and the fans in the future because they deserve it."

* Carlisle boss Roddy Collins admits he is keen on making a move for Darlington striker Barry Conlon. He said: "I want a big target man up-front that is my priority. I want a player who can hold the ball up - an Alan Shearer type for our league."

* Ex-Darlington striker Lee Nogan is one of eight players freed by York City.

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