Two clean sheets in the two games since Danny Ellis joined Darlington are no coincidence, and it is hoped the defender's influence can rub off on his younger team-mates.

The veteran centre-back has provided the defensive solidity lacking in Quakers’ opening games, conceding 12 times in their first six league matches.

Since Ellis’ arrival from Farsley Celtic, Darlington have defeated Telford 3-0 and Hereford 1-0, and his presence he can also be an example to Jake Cooper and Alex Storey, believes assistant manager Darren Holloway.

“We shout from the sidelines in training and in games, but during a match you’ve got to take notice of the player next to you and that’s when you’re forced into doing the right thing by your team-mate shouting and screaming,” said Holloway.

“It’s going to be a massive benefit to Alex and Jake, having an older head alongside them.

“A partnership will be built and having Danny here will benefit those two massively.”

Ellis, 36 next month, said: “I’ve played a lot of games and it is massive to be able to see what’s going on on the pitch, fixing problems, and I think that’s something I can do.

“It’s about making small improvements to help people out as best you can to bring their game on.”

Cooper serves the last of his three-game ban on Saturday when Darlington visit Chorley, so Ellis will again partner the ever-present Storey.

Holloway added: “You can’t expect to chuck someone in and expect them to slot in straight away, but so far he has done what we asked him to do.

“That’s the thing with experienced players, they’ve been there and done it so it’s a case of introducing Danny to the squad and integrating him with the lads.

“The communication, we don’t see that coming out of academies.

“Everyone is chasing the same sort of player regardless of what league you’re in - there’s people I know at clubs in divisions higher up who are looking for the same thing.

“Everyone wants leaders, the players who can organise as well as being a decent footballer and Danny can tick those boxes.”

Ellis played almost 500 games for Guiseley, had a couple of years with Harrogate Town and signed for Farsley in 2017 before signing for Quakers last month.

But not being in their first XI at the beginning of the season signalled the end of his time there, and he explained: “I’m not getting any younger, I want to play, so I had a chat with the gaffer and told him if I wasn’t going to start then I wanted to leave.

“As soon as Alun spoke to me I didn’t think twice, I said yes straight away. I’d noticed at the start of the season Darlo had conceded a few goals and it was in the back of my mind ‘I wonder if there’s an opportunity to go there’. So when the chance came up it was a no-brainer.

“I haven’t got a contract yet. When I spoke to Al he was great with me and it was a case of coming up and seeing how it goes, and we’ll take it from there.

“The speed, the pace, how well they keep the ball, that’s what I noticed straight away in training, how well they moved the ball. The aggression when they haven’t got the ball as well, and it was very intense.

“Coming here, the supporters give you such a lift. It’s fanatical and the messages I had when I signed were unbelievable.”