The hard work in the gym is paying dividends for young Dover Athletic defender Sean Raggett.

Raggett, 20, powered home a header in the 2-2 Vanarama Conference draw against Southport on Saturday after leaping high to meet what he describes as Barry’s Cogan’s ‘perfect’ corner.

And it was his ability to tower above the defence that Raggett admitted he had been working hard on because being 6ft 5in doesn’t guarantee he’d win every ball in the air.

He said: “I may be tall but I’ve never had a good jump on me and I was determined to improve that aspect of my game this season.

“I’ve been working hard on getting some power in my legs at the gym and all that pain is now starting to pay off.”

But it’s not only the power in his legs that Raggett has improved on this season.

He’s scored three goals so far, one more than his tally last season.

Raggett said: “I am real happy about that statistic because I’ve played about half the amount of games too.

“There is not a better feeling than scoring a goal so hopefully I can get a few more in the final 13 games.”