KAL Naismith has thanked manager James Beattie for helping him to fire, after taking him out of the firing line.

The former Rangers striker went straight into Stanley’s starting line-up after moving south of the border in August. But in going eight games without a goal in the Reds’ winless start to the season, the burden of trying to turn their fortunes around weighed too heavily on the youngster and Beattie stepped in.

The Stanley boss turned to loan signing Kayode Odejayi’s experience, relieving the pressure on Naismith.

And while no player would wish to be dropped, on reflection the 21-year-old is seeing the benefits of Beattie’s intervention, and feels he has a new lease of life after scoring his first goal – a decisive one in Stanley’s first league win of the season.

“I started well against Portsmouth and the first few games but it’s just when you don’t get that goal. Even if you have a bad game but score it gets you off the mark.

“But we were getting beat 1-0 and the team just wasn’t scoring. I was taking responsibility and thinking it was my fault that we weren’t creating enough chances and not scoring,” said Naismith.

“It just kept playing on my mind.

“I think the best thing that happened for me was getting dropped.

“I didn’t play for three weeks, the gaffer said there were a few things we needed to change and I’ve changed them.

“He’s obviously seen a difference in me he’s put me back in and I’ll just keep going the way I’m going.”

Now the rejuvenated striker is looking forward to sampling the English FA Cup for the first time, as Stanley host Tranmere Rovers in the first round tomorrow.

It is a familiar cup fixture for the two teams, who have met five times in a competitive clash since the Reds’ return to the Football League.

But Naismith is relishing a new experience.

“I’m looking forward to it. I watch most games on the television so I’ve seen a lot of the FA Cup games. Usually you see some small clubs do well and there are some shock results.

“We just need to get through the first stage and build up. If we could get a big team later on it would be brilliant, but we just need to concentrate on Saturday.

“We’re playing a stronger team than we could have got in the draw but the boys are on a good run and there’s no reason why we couldn’t go through.”

Although Rangers were in the Scottish Third Division when Naismith made his Scottish FA Cup bow, they were still regarded as a big draw.

Stanley are the underdogs against League One opposition tomorrow, but the forward says the tie should hold no fear after embarking on a five-game unbeaten run.

“I think the boys are confident,” added Naismith.

“Not that we weren’t looking forward to Saturdays before but we were thinking there was more pressure.

“But now the boys are doing well we’re looking forward to Saturdays.

“It’s a chance for the boys to prove they’re good enough to say at that level.”

n Stanley are into the second round of the FA Youth Cup after a fine 3-1 win over Carlisle.