Smith eyes Toon boost

Doncaster keeper Ben Smith hopes his clean sheet against hometown club Newcastle will edge him ahead of veteran Neil Sullivan.

Smith came through the ranks at St James' Park so was understandably delighted to have helped pull off the shock pre-season win over the Magpies which was sealed when Stuart Elliott profted from a defensive error.

Smith told the Evening Chronicle: "I enjoyed it. I was at Newcastle from the age of eight and went all the way through the youth system.

"So to keep a clean sheet is great for me. It was the first time I had played against them."

The Geordie added: "It was good to get on and play in the second half, and top it off with a win.

"If someone had said before the game I would get a clean sheet, with all the quality players they've got, I would have definitely taken it."

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has vowed to return to his home town for pre-season games in the future despite the defeat.