TOWN have been ordered to bolt the defensive door when keeper Paul Rachubka makes his 50th League appearance for the club at Oldham on Saturday.

Manager Peter Jackson is keen to mark his 24-year-old signing's milestone with a clean sheet to help bounce Town back towards top place in the table.

Jackson has had a private meeting with Rachubka to chat through events so far, and he's backing the former Charlton stopper to hit top form as Town bid to become much tighter as a unit.

"We defend from front to back as a team and our first priority on Saturday at Oldham is to bolt the defensive door shut," said Jackson today.

"Everyone in the side has defensive responsibilities and we need to make sure they are met.

"No-one will be keener to keep a clean sheet than Rabs on his 50th League appearance for the club because he loves it here and is focused on making a successful career with us.

"I've had a chat with Rabs and told him I expect him to do better - he does as well - because there are certain aspects of his game, like his kicking in the last couple of games, which have been poor and need to be improved on as soon as possible.

"Rabs is thorough and professional and he's working hard to put those aspects right and, if anyone thinks he's not a very talented keeper then they've got rocks in their head."

Rachubka has kept 14 blanks in his 49 League games to date with Town, whom he helped to promotion glory with his heroic display against Mansfield in the Cardiff penalty shoot-out.

"People forget that this is his first ever full season as the No1 choice with any club and he will benefit from that," added Jackson.

"The more games he plays the more his quality will come to the fore and I'm delighted we've got him at this club.

"If he keeps a clean sheet on Saturday, no-one will be more delighted than me."