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Manager Frank Northwood has tried a succession of more noted goal scorers as his spot kickers but Andy Moore, Tracey Norton, and Graham Jones have all missed from 12 yards this season.

In Saturday’s Banks’s League Cup semi final against Hinckley Athletic the job fell to Dick, who obliged by crashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Northwood was clearly delighted afterwards with his “new penalty taker.” Dick, too, was only too pleased to get onto the scoresheet.

“I took a few penalties in training too – and so far I haven’t missed one,” said the Long Eaton-based defender during Saturday’s victory celebrations.

“I was going to hit it to the keeper’s left but he moved that way so I just hit it as hard as I could. I struck it really well and it went into the top of the net.”

Dick believes that that goal, along with a second added by Andy Moore, could be enough to put Rovers into their second Banks’s League Cup final in three seasons.

“The second leg, on March 18, is bound to be tight. We’ve got to go there and win – it’s no good trying to defend a two-goal lead. But if we keep it tight at the back and play football we shouldn’t lose.

“Hinckley have got to get three to win. If we can score first that’ll be the tie settled.”

Gresley Rovers await the outcome of a fitness test on top scorer Paul Acklam before naming their side for tomorrow’s vital clash away to title rivals Halesowen Harriers (3pm).

Acklam had to have stitches inserted in a gashed ankle after Tuesday’s Derbyshire Senior Cup victory over Matlock.

Victory will help Rovers to strengthen their grip at the top of the table.

Said manager Frank Northwood: “Rushall did us a favour last week. We’ve got to do ourselves a favour at Halesowen. It’s as simple as that.”