NELSON striker Jonathan Irvine is keen not to repeat last season's nightmare when the Blues just missed out on promotion.

Irvine, the son of former Burnley player Willie, fired home 29 goals last term to take Nelson to the brink of NWCL Division One -- but they finished third.

Now they top Division Two again -- and Irvine is keen to avoid a similar scenario.

"We lost some silly games towards the end of last season. I think we were feeling the pressure as every game was a must-win match," admitted the 26-year-old, who came to Victoria Park four seasons ago.

"I personally learnt a lot from last season but we have four or five new players and so we have been speaking a lot recently about not missing out again."

Nelson have stuttered recently with one win in four games and have a huge match at home tomorrow against fellow promotion hopefuls Warrington Town.

"It's another must-win game for us but if we get early goals, it seems to relax us a little and lets us settle down," said the former Blackpool trainee, who earned seven Under 18 caps for Northern Ireland.

"That will be the aim tomorrow for the strikers, just to add to the pressure!"

Irvine's season has been hampered by injury but he has still managed to notch 14 goals in less than 20 games and is fighting with Kiko Rodriguez and Carl Howarth for a starting berth.

"If I start on the bench, I let Carl and Kiko know that I'm warming up ready to take their place!