Martin Gray has defended his handling of Alan White during last Saturday’s defeat at Salford City, when the veteran defender was sent off for two bookable offences.

Darlington’s manager has been criticised in some quarters for not withdrawing White before referee Barry Cropp cautioned him a second time, both for dissent, during the tense top-of-the-table encounter.

White has enjoyed an exceptional season in one of the country’s meanest defences, but is no stranger to a yellow card and his frequent verbal jousting with referees has become as regular as a Quakers clean sheet.

He was booked in each half last weekend, the second time on the hour, and Gray said: “People could see Alan White was having a go at the referee and have said we should calm him down, but he’s been doing that for 20 years – are you going to change him at the age of 39-years-old?

“I did spend time talking to Alan at half-time. I pulled him out of the changing room and had a one-to-one about what could happen in the second half. But the referee should also have managed to Alan too, there’s a bit of give and take there.

“I don’t regret not taking Alan off because most of his games are like that and most referees know how to referee him. I don’t think I’ve been in that predicament with him before, where he’s been sent off for something so innocuous. His second yellow was for saying ‘watch the game’. Very soft.

“Alan has been magnificent this season.”

However, Gray was disappointed in Adam Mitchell, the young winger sent off for foul and abusive language in the dying seconds.

“It was a stupid thing to do and you can’t defend that,” said the manager.

“It was a cheap shot at the referee. It was inexperience, having a go at the referee and he’ll get two games suspended.”

Mitchell’s first banned match will be a week tomorrow at Harrogate RA, the same match White shall miss having been handed a single-game suspension, so both will be available tomorrow at Heritage Park when Darlington face Ossett Town.

Gray and Brian Atkinson were both sent from the dug-out by Cropp and are awaiting to hear from the Football Association about any potential disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Gray is inviting teenagers to trials for the Btec Extended Diploma in Sport, which is held in conjunction with his academy and Darlington College.

Taking place at 10am on the morning of Saturday, February 14 at Blackwell Meadows in Darlington, all school leavers are invited to register an interest in the course, which offers a pathway to Quakers’ first team.

Adam Cocks, Matty Lovegreen, Matty Pennal and David Mitchell are among those that have studied for the Btec and made the breakthrough for Gray’s team in the past couple of seasons, while all have played for the Durham County team too.

Gray said: “The future of the club has got to be based around creating our own players through the youth team. This is the pathway forward for students, a full-time football course.”

Those interested in taking part in the trial must register their interest via email: enquiriesmgfa@hotmail.com