AGAINST all odds Anthony Peacock is proving that size doesn't necessarily matter in football.

Where others have slipped through the net pint-sized Peacock provides quality rather than quantity to his game.

At 5ft 3ins Peacock may be as small as they come in the professional game, but the 19-year-old more than makes up for his tiny frame in other areas.

In League Two, the Darlington midfielder has the close control and agility to give any defence the run around, as he demonstrated to devastating effect at Grimsby on Saturday.

Released by Middlesbrough during the summer, Peacock made the short journey across the A66 with a glowing reference from Mark Proctor.

The Quakers' No.2 coached the player at Boro's Academy and was part of Proctor's side, which won the FA Youth Cup in 2004.

Dubbed the 'Baby Juninho' at the Riverside, Peacock never got the chance to follow in the footsteps of Boro's Brazilian legend, failing to get a first-team start under Steve McClaren.

But, just as 5ft 5ins Juninho went on to become one of the Premiership's most exciting imports, Peacock has already shown that he can rough it in League Two.

"You play your own game and if you're good enough then you're good enough," said Peacock. "I played for the reserves at Middlesbrough last season and I think that helped a lot. I played against bigger and stronger players, which I think did a lot of good."

There were few guarantees that Peacock would earn a permanent deal with the club during the summer. Manager David Hodgson expressed his concern that he was unsure of where was best to utilise the teenager.

Perhaps with a little ear-bending from right-hand man Mark Proctor, Hodgson eventually decided to hand the Hemlington-born player a six-month contract.

A toe injury prevented Matty Appleby from lining up at the weekend, paving the way for Peacock to make his full Quakers debut.

"Can you kick it that far?" greeted one of Peacock's first touches, from a Grimsby fan, before the teenager sprayed the ball out to Ryan Valentine.

Keen to make an early impression, Peacock demanded almost every ball that left the back four. And, when he was given possession, the youngster used the ball with poise and purpose.

Terrier-like, Peacock was just as effective in closing down, nipping in to take the ball away from Martin Gritton's feet in the 17th minute.

Similarly, Paul Bolland was then left bemused as Peacock showed quick feet to rob the Grimsby midfielder.

Taking charge of a set-piece down the Grimsby right, Peacock whipped over a teasing cross for Matt Clarke in the 28th minute, but the skipper's header lacked accuracy.

When Clarke was caught out of position early in the second half, it was Peacock who tracked back to deny Michael Reddy a shot on goal.

Despite Clyde Wijnhard's 64th minute penalty miss after the striker was brought down by Tony Crane, it was through Peacock that Quakers were given a chance to redeem themselves, again, from the spot.

Picking the ball up in the Grimsby box, Peacock twisted and turned and mesmerised a crowd of Grimsby defenders.

He then skipped past the 6ft 7ins figure of Rob Jones, before he was eventually brought down by Tom Newey.

He explained: "(Akpo) Sodje switched the ball to me and I tried to find an opening to cross it.

"I put it through the lad's legs in the end and he grabbed hold of my shirt."

Even referee Carl Boyeson had praise for Peacock, explaining his 79th minute penalty decision. He said: "Peacock got through three Grimsby Town defenders in such a small space - that was credit to him."

Former Quakers winger Newey was subsequently red-carded for his troubles and Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu made no mistake from the spot.

Grimsby's frustrations boiled over when Crane was dismissed in injury-time for dissent.

And, as Boyeson blew time on Quakers' first away win of the season, Peacock was mobbed by his teammates after a match-winning display.

Afterwards, the midfielder was modestly keen to deflect attention from his own impressive contribution, reminding that the result mattered more than his individual display.

"I was pleased with my performance but the most important thing was the three points after last week's game," said Peacock.

"We had to put things right and show that the Orient game was a one-off, which I think we did."