PRACTICE makes perfect, so they say, an adage Darlington would attest to having put into action what they were taught in training on Saturday morning.

They were on a six-game unbeaten run and last week put five past Gainsborough Trinity, yet manager Martin Gray is never one to rest on his laurels, so had his players in 90 minutes early for some last-minute fine-tuning.

Eager to hammer home the nuances of his preferred team shape as well as set-piece routines, the manager altered the pre-match routine and the outcome was immediate as Darlington won 5-1 with their threat at set-pieces coming to the fore.

Three of Quakers’ goals came after corners and another following a throw-in, reaping the rewards for an early start, which also involved a trip to the pub beside Heritage Park.

No drink was taken at the March Hare, though fans will have certainly celebrated Saturday’s latest goal frenzy – Quakers have now scored 14 goals in their last three home games.

Whereas last weekend’s 5-2 win flattered Darlington, Saturday’s 5-1 win did the same for mid-table Worcester City, who would have conceded double figures had Gray’s men not shut up shop when 5-0 up after only an hour.

Three of their goals came before the break, with Gary Brown scoring two identical goals, both near-post headers from Josh Gillies corners.

His goals, on 19 and 44 minutes, sandwiched Mark Beck’s header, keeper Ryan Boot only able to palm the ball into the net following Stephen Thompson’s delivery after Brown’s long throw was not cleared.

Gray said: “It was a really strong start. In the first 45 minutes we were very dominant in our play, the set-pieces were great and the movement was what we’re looking for.

“We came in early to work on a few things, to do some preparation on the pitch. It’s a credit to the players for the commitment they show to the club. Three or four balls into the box today were of great quality.

“We were in at 11.30 to work on team shape, set-pieces and then we went to the March Hare for some beans on toast, just to change things around a little bit.

“I wanted to freshen things up. I’ve worked with managers who occasionally change the routine. Listen, it doesn’t always work, but it can’t do any harm.

“When it comes off and you get a good result you’re delighted and it feels like it was all worthwhile.”

While it was through set-plays Darlington opened up a three-goal lead, it was via crisp passing and fine teamwork that they unlocked Worcester’s defence during a one-sided first 45.

Phil Turnbull was instrumental, running the show in midfield, and his display was almost capped with a long-awaited first goal for the club two minutes after the restart, his long-range shot cleared off the line by former West Brom striker Lee Hughes.

Gillies’ follow-up was saved before Beck tucked home the loose ball for 4-0, Worcester having been unable to clear Terry Galbraith’s corner.

Having made way in the centre of defence for Kevin Burgess’ recall, Galbraith returned to left-back and from an advanced position his perfect cross met the head of substitute Dave Syers, who’d been on only four minutes before timing his run to perfection for 5-0.

Darlington declared at five and got the cigars out, Gray taking the opportunity to make a couple of early subs.

Worcester boss Carl Heeley made a change too, replacing Hughes with a midfielder, later admitting it was intended to stem the tide of Darlington attacks.

He said: “When you’re 5-0 down with 20 minutes to go you fear the worst and worry what could be. To our lads’ credit, they kept going.

“I took one of the forwards off as it was a case of damage limitation, but in an adverse way we started to get more ball in the middle of the park and got ourselves a consolation goal.”

It came from Ebby Nelson-Addy on 71 minutes, striding through a backtracking Darlington midfield and poking the ball under Peter Jameson.

“I’m very disappointed to concede,” said Gray “The keeper held his hands up afterwards, the ball went under him.

“You’re always looking for better, you’re always looking for more. But it’s a small factor, conceding in a 5-1 win, and we would have taken that score at the start of the day.”

The game died a death in the closing stages, with Darlington having one eye on this Saturday’s trip to fifth-placed Harrogate Town, which will draw a large crowd with several hundred Quakers planning to attend.

Harrogate are undefeated on home soil in the league, while Quakers have yet to lose on their travels, aside from in the FA Cup, and remain second, four points behind Fylde, who in three weeks visit the North-East for what could be Darlington’s final Heritage Park game.

“It’s going to be tough for every team who comes here, they’re going to find it incredibly difficult,” added Heeley.

“They’re a good side and I told their manager it will take a good team to finish above Darlington.”