Frenchman Drissa Diallo has been given the task of being Cheltenham Town's roaring lion on the pitch.

The 35-year-old central defender has been asked by manager Martin Allen to boss the players and use his experience, built up over a career spanning eight clubs in France, Belgium and England, to build upon Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Oldham in the FA Cup first round replay.

That not only marked Cheltenham's first away win of the season but also the team's first clean sheet under Allen, ideal preparation for today's clash against Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

"The manager wants me to be more of a leader on the pitch and speak to the younger lads and bring in my experience," said Diallo.

"I like to talk on the pitch but he wants me more to take responsibility. I will try to do it. Off the pitch I'm not so loud but on it I am loud, louder than anyone!"

With so many young players in the team there are clearly times when Cheltenham are looking for leadership.

Skipper Alan Wright obviously chips in but from left back it is not always easy for him to get his message across. Former skipper John Finnigan was a good talker and from central midfield was able to assert an influence over the game.

"We are a quiet team to be fair and I am ready to do it," added Diallo.

"It cannot come from the manager on the touchline all the time it has to come from within as well."

In mid-week, Diallo led by example as his performance spoke more eloquently than any words. Forced to spend long periods defending after Lewis Montrose's early goal Diallo was commanding in the air winning header after header. "Heading is one of my strengths and I won a lot of headers on Tuesday," said Diallo.

"I like to attack the ball and win as many headers as I can. I would love to score a goal but first and foremost I must defend.

"That is why I was very happy with the clean sheet at Oldham, very happy indeed. As a defender when you concede a goal, or two you cannot say you have had a good game even if the team wins. People just see the result and that you have conceded again.

"We know that clean sheets win games. When you don't concede you always know you will get a few chances so it is important we keep more clean sheets – starting at Carlisle this weekend."

With Darren Kenton still struggling it seems likely that Allen, who has shown he is not afraid to change a winning side let alone a losing one, will stick with Diallo and Andy Gallinagh in central defence with David Bird at right back.

Meanwhile, midfielder Scott Brown has agreed a contract termination and has signed for Port Vale on loan until the end of the year – when the move is expected to become permanent.

Brown will make his debut at Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow afternoon.

"I can't wait to be playing again, the last three months have been horrible," said Brown.

"I understand why the gaffer has done what he has, because he needs to make the team his own. But nobody at Cheltenham has seen me anywhere near my best."

Cheltenham (from): SP Brown; Bird, Diallo, Gallinagh, Wright, Murray, Montrose, Westlake, Ridley; Vincent, Spencer. Subs from: Higgs, Owusu, Lindegaard, Hayes, Payne, Connor.