MIDFIELD goal machine Paddy McLaughlin is reaping the rewards from his post-training shooting sessions, according to York City manager Gary Mills.

McLaughlin’s brace during Saturday’s 6-2 FA Trophy second round win at Salisbury saw him reach double figures for the season with his first-half free-kick followed by an unstoppable left-footed strike to complete the rout late in the game.

Mills referred to the extra hours at Wigginton Road put in by McLaughlin, who also turned 21 on Saturday, as a decisive factor in his prolific campaign.

Having watched Matty Blair also net twice and Jamie Reed and new striker Matthew Blinkhorn get on the scoresheet too, the City chief said: “Matty Blair’s got 12 now and can’t stop scoring, and ten is a fantastic return from midfield for Paddy at this stage of the season.

“When he bursts into the penalty box, he rarely misses the target. We spoke about him getting goals when he came here because he’s got clever feet and, while he might have surprised himself with how many he’s got, he’s enjoyed the step up from reserve to competitive football and he’s a good, hungry player who’s getting better.

“He’s also one that stays behind at the end of every training session practicing finishing and that’s paid dividends. These things don’t just happen and he works hard at his game.

“People used to see David Beckham curling in free-kicks without realising how much effort he put into them on the training pitch and Paddy’s the same. Even when I’m telling everyone that’s enough now, he will still try to stay on the training field to do that bit extra.”

Mills went on to praise his players for their “ruthless” despatching of a Salisbury side who, just seven days earlier, had put in a creditable performance in the FA Cup third round before going down 3-1 at League One promotion hopefuls Sheffield United.

The only blemishes were the two goals conceded – the second after substitute Moses Ashikodi had conceded a penalty.

The City manager added: “I wouldn’t say it was comfortable for us because they never stopped working and showed at times why they did so well in the FA Cup, but it was an excellent performance in a difficult tie. We moved the ball well and took our chances with Matty Blair getting another two to set us on our way.

“I’m absolutely delighted to score six goals away from home. Sometimes, you have to be patient but we got early goals and, when you do that, you also have to be ruthless. If you are to achieve anything in football, you sometimes have to show how good a player you are at 4-0 up and not take your foot off the pedal or get complacent and, other than on a couple of occasions including when we conceded the sloppy goal just before half-time, we did that.”

Mills also expressed his pleasure at debutant Blinkhorn’s display in both boxes after he entered the fray as a second-half substitute following his arrival from Sligo Rovers, saying: “It was a great ball in by Matty Blair for the goal but it was great movement by Matthew Blinkhorn as well.

“I’ve seen that in him and I was delighted that he got a goal in his first game. He also helps you defensively at the other end of the pitch. He heads balls away in his own penalty box and that’s another string to his bow that could benefit us.”

Mills went on to pay tribute to the couple of hundred City fans who made the long trip to Wiltshire in the cold weather.

He said: “It was great to see our fans come and support us so far away from home. We had the luxury of travelling down on Thursday but they probably did a 12-hour round trip in one day.

“I’m just happy that it was a worthwhile one for them and I’d like to thank all of them.”

City’s home match with Gateshead, scheduled for Saturday, February 4, will now need to be rearranged with Mills’ team in Trophy third round action instead.

Eleven other Blue Square Bet Premier sides will go into the hat for today’s third round draw with Alfreton, Bath, Cambridge, Ebbsfleet, Grimsby and Kidderminster all through to the last 16 of the competition, while Lincoln, Luton and Newport will join them if they can negotiate replays or ties postponed at the weekend, as will the winners of the Braintree v Gateshead match that was drawn on Saturday.

Lower league minnows Dartford, Guiseley, Northwich and Wealdstone, meanwhile, have already won their way through to the third round, as will the winners of this week’s Hampton & Richmond Borough v East Thurrock replay.

Mills admitted that he would prefer to be handed a draw at Bootham Crescent but added: “I’ve stated all along that I want to take this team to Wembley.

“It’s fantastic to be in the next round and I’m looking forward to a good draw. It would be nice to get a home tie but we’ve won at Solihull and Salisbury now, so we will take whatever comes our way.”