LEON SCOTT was a popular goalscorer on Tuesday, no more so than with manager Martin Gray, as the midfielder put the seal on Darlington’s 4-0 win over Workington.

He was in the right place to blast high into the net, crowning not only the team’s return to the top of the table but also his own barnstorming performance.

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Scott is not a regular starter, but he has been back in favour due to Tom Portas’s injury and Gray was keen to pay tribute to one of the last three players remaining from the beginning of the Northern League season, David Dowson and Amar Purewal being the others.

“It was great that Leon Scott broke into the box because he deserved a goal,” said Gray, whose team face Mickleover Sports at Heritage Park today.

“His energy was important. Players like Leon sometimes get overlooked, the job they do for the team.

“I said to him before the game in front of the rest of the team, he’s been with me from day one for three and a half years and he’s been one of our most consistent players in that time.

“Even when he’s not in the team he’s like a model professional. He looks after himself so that when he does get his chance he’s ready to take it. He makes the competition for places healthy.”

Scott’s high work-rate epitomises Gray’s favoured approach to football, a style discussed by national sports media of late following Jurgen Klopp’s appointment as Liverpool’s new manager.

The German’s high pressing methods were used to great affect at Borussia Dortmund, while Gray has extolled them since becoming Darlington manager in the summer of 2012.

“The team’s work ethic is great and they get their reward,” said the manager.

“It’s not just about scoring goals, what comes first in my book is closing down and having loads of energy.

“We want to force the opposition centre-halves to play short passes rather than long passes because we’re putting them under pressure high up the pitch. Lee Gaskell is all about that and Nathan Cartman certainly is. That sets the tone.

“It’s all I know, the high pressing. That was me as a player, lots of pressing and energy. That’s the way I manage my club.

“If you want an example, look at Wayne Rooney – he’s one of the highest paid players in our country, and he’ll run all day for his country and for Manchester United every week.

“When you see Nathan running past Adam Mitchell to track someone, that shows you something. It’s work ethic, it’s infectious, and that’s what the team is about.”

Alan White remains suspended. He serves the third of a four-match ban, though a Football Association charge is pending following his dismissal after a match three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Darlington have been thrown out of the Durham Challenge Cup for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary round win at Billingham Town.

Darlington were due to play West Auckland on Tuesday in the first round, but the match has been cancelled and instead the Northern League strugglers progress to the second round.

A Quakers statement read: “The club is dealing with the matter with the appropriate football authorities, and wish to apologise to supporters for any inconvenience caused.”