Mark Beck's cultured finish against Colchester United proves Harrogate Town striker is 'not just a targetman'

Standing at 6ft 4in tall, the 27-year-old centre-forward is most effective in the targetman role and always carries a big threat in the air.

Both of the ex-Scotland youth international's two previous goals this term have been scored with his head, though his classy early effort against struggling Colchester showcased just how dangerous he can be with the ball at his feet.

"It was a great finish from Becky, a pearler of a first-time strike" Weaver said following Tuesday night's 3-0 success at Wetherby Road.

"He stroked it in, curved it into the bottom corner. He picked his spot and there was no doubt about where that ball was going from the moment he hit it.

"We keep saying it, he's not just a targetman, we see all his touches in training, his class and his high-end ability.

"It's just great to have him on the pitch. He's missed so much football over the last year through injury, he's been in isolation really, so moments like this are just reward for him working so hard in re-hab and keeping going after some hard knocks."

Beck's goal arrived within 30 seconds of kick-off and Weaver said that there can be disputing the fact that it paved the way for what was, in the end, a more comfortable victory than he was expecting against a United side in desperate need of points in their battle to avoid being sucked into a relegation scrap.

"The goal in the first minute set the tone and was a huge boost," the Town boss added.

"You're expecting a really tough game against a side with a lot of pedigree in their squad who are scrapping away, so going a goal up inside a minute gives you extra confidence to get the ball down and play.

"It was great for the entire team. You're a goal up and you can . I think we picked up from that first half against Grimsby here last Saturday where we passed it well and maybe the intensity went up a notch further as well.

"I think sometimes when you win a game of football you can slip into that cliche of saying 'it was a good display from start to finish', but I think it literally was. From Mark Beck's excellent goal inside the very first minute to Ryan Fallowfield throwing himself in front of a ball to make a fantastic block right at the end.

"The intensity and desire was there, the energy levels were high again. There are always moments we can look at, but I'm being harsh if I'm picking the players up on too much. We've won 3-0 against some really good players and overall I couldn't be much happier."

Victory lifts Harrogate one place and up to 10th in the League Two standings, though they remain six points shy of a play-off spot.