Elliot won’t get ‘carried away’ by Brown’s form

GATESHEAD interim manager Rob Elliot will continue to tread carefully with young striker Dajaune Brown after his hat-trick fired the Heed into the last four of the FA Trophy.

The on-loan Derby County youngster was the star of the show as his first-half hat-trick paved the foundations for a 3-2 home win against National League North club Peterborough Sports and ensured Heed will join Solihull Moors, Macclesfield and Bromley in today’s draw.

Elliot’s men didn’t have it all their own way as second-half goals from Josh McCammon and Michael Gash threatened an unlikely comeback – but the visitors could not find an equaliser as their brave run came to an end at the International Stadium.

After scoring four goals and providing an assist in his last three games, there have been calls for Brown to be given a more prominent role with Elliot’s side – but the Heed boss insisted he will continue to shown patience with the 18-yearold.

He said: “There’s going to be lots of call to play him and start him but I think the best thing with Dajaune is that you saw the brilliance and the naivety in the sense that there were lots of other opportunities for him.

“In terms of holding the ball up and his play, I love it because he works so hard for the team and he’s got a goal in him. What a fantastic return it’s been in the last few weeks and he definitely gives us something to think about but we can’t get carried away too much. He’s still an 18-year-old who has come here to learn men’s football.”

Reflecting on the performance as a whole, Elliot admitted his side had been far from their best. He said: “It’s a cup game, and the most important thing is getting through, we’ve done that but there’s lots to work on.”

Gateshead return to their National League play-off push when they host Dagenham and Redbridge tomorrow.