HE has made some bold team selections in recent weeks, and Martin Gray says it proves he will not shy away from difficult decisions for the good of the team.

The Darlington manager last week made alterations to the starting XI and formation which meant a place among the substitutes for Terry Galbraith and Josh Gillies, two players central to the season so far.

Left-back Galbraith had started every league game since September 2015, while winger Gillies has scored nine times in 26 appearances, but they were on bench duty while Darlington put in a much-improved display in a 1-1 draw Chorley.

Gray, who dropped Peter Jameson recently after two and half seasons as first-choice goalkeeper, and he said: “I’ve always made what I thought was the right decision for the team. Galbraith had played the last 70 games or so, and unfortunately for him I changed it because I felt it was right too.

“Whether it’s Galbraith, Peter or anyone else, I’ll do it if I have to. I’ve taken players off at half-time, that happened to Stephen Thompson, but I’ve always said that if you’re not producing then it doesn’t matter who you are I will make the change to try and get the right result.

“That’s always been my approach. If you’re not on top of your game and you’re not consistent then don’t expect to be in the team.”

Tomorrow at home to Altrincham, Gray is likely to stick with the same starting XI, which would mean David Ferguson again at left-back and Josh Falkingham in the right full-back position.

Both did well last Saturday, Falkingham having replaced the injured Liam Marrs, and Gray added: “If the lads that came into the team last Saturday had a stinker then you’re there to be shot at. But that’s my job.

“I’m always straight with players. And 99 per cent of the players that have worked with us know themselves if they’re having a bad time, so you don’t have to say much.

“What you’re looking for then is a reaction and we trained last night and Galbraith and Gillies were both excellent. They want to be back in the team, that’s the response I was looking for.”