AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Ryan Clarke knows he has James Shea breathing down his neck.

The 34-year-old shot-stopper kept his first clean sheet last weekend as Dons picked up their first League One point from a 0-0 draw at Northampton.

Prior to that, Clarke and Dons had conceded 10 goals in four games as they adjusted to life in the third tier of English football.

Clarke, a summer signing from the Cobblers, has come in for criticism from fans, but he insists he is not disappointed with his own form.

However, having missed much of last season playing understudy to the Cobblers number one, it is taking time to get back to his best.

“It has been a tough start to the season – even just looking at the fixtures that is tough in its self,” he said.

AFC WIMBLEDON: York City keeper banned for racial abuse

AFC WIMBLEDON: Dons' lack the "belief and quality" but pick up first point of the season

'All systems go': Sadiq Khan hands back AFC Wimbledon stadium decision to Merton Council

“On a personally level, having not played for so long last year and trying to get back into the swing of things, I am not disappointed with myself, just with the results.

“But we got off the mark at Northampton, and hopefully we can kick on from there as a group, because we’re all disappointed with the start we’ve had.”

He added: “My form is returning slowly – I still know there is more to come from me.

“That will come with the more games I play. It has been a slow start all round, in terms of results and how we’re playing, but hopefully Northampton was the start of our season.”

Shea lost his place in the Dons first team in January when Kelle Roos was brought in on loan, and Clarke knows his team-mate is gunning for the keeper’s jersey.

Your Local Guardian:

Competition: James Shea is gunning for Ryan Clarke's number one jersey

“James is always breathing down my neck – anywhere you play football it is all about competition and no one has a given right to play, especially in goal,” Clarke said.

“I try not to let it distract me – first and foremost, I make sure I am playing well, and making sure we pick up points every Saturday. Then it is all about keeping my place.”

The Dons go to Rochdale on Saturday – the Dale are also struggling in the early stages of the season having picked up just one point in four games, and sitting above Neal Ardley’s mean on goal difference.

Clarke said: “Rochdale are quite an established team in League One, but they have not had the greatest of starts either.

“There are no easy games in this league, but I think the onus is on us to get a result.”