PAUL Mullin has vowed to rediscover his potent goalscoring form.

Despite going seven league and cup games without a goal, the frustrated Accrington Stanley striker is still among the Nationwide Conference top scorers.

But he knows his barren spell has to come to an end sooner rather than later if he wants to remain one of the league's hotshots. Tomorrow's home game against Canvey Island is a prime target.

"I'm due a goal," said the 30-year-old, whose last goals came in the televised 2-1 win over Hereford United last month.

"I still feel I've been doing my job in winning headers and bringing others into play up front but, as a striker, I'm judged on goalscoring whether I like it or not.

"In one spell last season I went 10 games without scoring and still finished the season with 20 goals so I'm not unduly concerned at the moment.

"I've gone five league games without a goal so far and it does prey on your mind a little bit.

"But with another couple of goals under my belt I'll be into double figures and hopefully on course for getting another 20."

And Mullin believes his goal mission will be aided by the immenent return of winger Rory Prendergast.

The 25-year-old is ready for a recall after recovering from a hernia operation. And striker Mullin is eager to capitalise on Prendergast's deliveries.

"On his day, Rory is the best winger in the Conference so any team is going to miss him," he said.

"The people who have been put out wide in his absence have done well but they are more used to playing in the middle.

"I've certainly missed Rory from a selfish point of view because he does knock a great ball in, and I get a lot of goals sniffing around the 18-yard box."

He added: "John (Coleman) has done some finishing with me on my own in training this week.

"He's said he wants to go and buy me a goal, so maybe that could be an early Christmas present.

"But I'll just keep working hard and getting in to good areas and goals will come.

"It's just unfortunate that my dry spell has coincided with the team not having the best run of results.

"I wouldn't say confidence is low because we did take positives out of the Barnet game.

"We just need to start picking up points and get on a consistent run of games."

Meanwhile, Stanley manager John Coleman has urged Mullin not to get bogged down by his goal drought.

"I once went 17 games without scoring, but as long as your overall performance doesn't suffer things will click into place," he said.

"The day I ended that run I scored one on the Saturday and then four on the Tuesday.

"With goalscoring, a lot of it's luck, but the more you put yourself into the right areas the better, like the more tickets you buy for the raffle the more chance you've got of winning."

And Coleman believes the return of Prendergast will also be beneficial to his striker.

"Rory puts a lot of crosses into the box. In fact, he made the most in the Conference last year from any team. For a centre forward, that kind of service is ideal to have.

"Hopefully Rory will have half a game in the reserves tonight and I might bring him into the squad.

"We've missed the aspect of having an out and out winger."

STANLEY Reserves travel to Marine tonight, kick-off 7.30pm.