SKIPPER Matt Clarke has been impressed with the impact defensive partner Shelton Martis has made in his first season in England and believes the Dutchman will be an influential figure in the crucial months ahead.

In conceding one goal in their last four games, Clarke and Martis have provided the back-bone for Darlington's recent resurgence.

The pair earned Quakers their third consecutive clean sheet in Saturday's 4-0 demolition of Mansfield Town at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arenak, a result which moved David Hodgson's men up to sixth in League Two.

Quakers can strengthen their foothold in the top seven when they face a difficult test of their promotion credentials at Boston United this weekend.

And Martis will mark his 30th appearance for Quakers at York Street with the backing of Clarke, who said: "Shelton has been absolutely outstanding for us this season.

"He has proved to be very important for us and I'm sure he'll have a big part to play in the next few months.

"It's sometimes difficult for a player to come in from another country but he's settled in straight away.

"I think that's why he's done so well and from my point of view as a defender, he's great to play alongside." Martis scored Quakers' fourth goal, his first for the club, against Mansfield, after Clarke had already netted.

Quakers have lost just once in 2006 and, as a result, Hodgson has been nominated for the League Two manager-of-the-month award for January, which is announced today.

Hodgson will face competition from Gudjon Thordarson (Notts County), Jim Gannon (Stockport) and Paul Trollope (Bristol Rovers).

Quakers have yet to agree terms with Guy Bates, although Hodgson remains hopeful of landing the former Newcastle United striker. The 20-year-old has been offered a contract until the end of the season after impressing on trial.

Read more about the Quakers here.