FRUSTRATED front man Lutel James described his first goal for five games as a "big relief".

And the Accrington Stanley striker hoped his first-half effort, which secured an important 1-0 win over Morecambe, would encourage manager John Coleman to revert back to using a front two.

James has been handed a right wing role in an attacking 4-5-1 formation in recent games and hit a memorable hat-trick from that position at home to Woking in late September. But after helping the Reds earn a 3-3 draw at promotion hopefuls Chester last month, the goals dried up.

However, the former Bury striker packed a punch on Boxing Day to clinch three valuable points in their derby with Jim Harvey's Shrimps.

James, who was moved back alongside fellow striker Paul Mullin on Saturday, said: "It was a big relief.

"I just want to be playing up front again so it was more of a relief.

"Playing out of position's getting me more worried than anything else though because I know if I was playing up front I'd be right up there alongside anyone who's scoring the goals.

"I know I'm capable of scoring all the time and feel like I can score all the time.

"But when I'm out on the wing I don't feel the same, I'm just like a workhorse.

"I hope things go back to normal now but, at the end of the day, John's got to do what's right for the team.

"I'm part of that team so I have to just work hard and do the right things, but I need to be playing up front again to get the goals."

James added that he knew his understanding with Mullin would take long to return once he was moved up alongside his strike partner.

"I don't think we'll ever lose that but the quicker we get back to playing together the better," the 31-year-old said.

"We've still got the same partnership that we had last year. Because of the new formation we don't really get the chance to show that.

"I believe that, together, we're capable of scoring more goals because I understand how he plays and he understands how I play.

"It always seems to work with a bigger player and a smaller player.

"I don't think I've been playing that well for the last few games but I'm not happy playing out on the wing.

"I don't make that an excuse because you've still got to work hard but I don't think I've been playing that well.

"I'll keep crawling after my target of 20 goals though."

Meanwhile, Dean Calcutt is waiting for an operation on a double hernia.

However, boss Coleman said: "He's hoping to play until he gets the operation so fingers crossed. We'll see how he goes on in training next week.

"It's not bothering him too much at the moment."