ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is backing striker Paul Mullin to start climbing up the goalscoring charts as the season heads to a potentially dramatic climax.

The front man has never failed to reach 20 goals in Stanley's previous two seasons in the Conference.

Until recently he was being overshadowed by team-mates Gary Roberts, Ian Craney and David Brown in the scoring stakes.

But a recent flurry of goals has put the 31-year-old on course for his annual target, to the delight of boss Coleman.

"I'm getting more pleased by the day about Paul Mullin's goals because if he scores a few more he'll be in the charts," the Reds boss said.

"I like my goalscorers to be up there challenging to be among the league's top scorers.

"We've been blessed that we get goals from everywhere. But being a forward myself, I like my goalscorers to score."

Mullin has struck five times in four games - including three goals in Stanley's two FA Trophy meetings with Carshalton.

And Coleman is hopeful that the former Clitheroe and Darwen striker has hit form at the right time.

"It's a pity he's not scoring league goals," said the Stanley boss, who hopes that will change when his side entertain Cambridge United tomorrow in what he has described as "a crucial game".

"But I told Paul the chance to go four consecutive games scoring goals can only breed confidence for him.

"He chipped in with two important goals on Tuesday night, and I'm sure between now and the end of the season he'll chip in with a few more.

"I think he found it frustrating because he went through a long spell (without scoring). I think he went 11 or 12 games without scoring.

"I don't care who you are or how strong your character is, it's going to affect you.

"But Paul had to concentrate on getting his performance right at first and the goals would come, and thankfully that's happened for him."

And Mullin, who has taken his tally for the season to 11 so far, is feeling the psychological benefit of his upturn in form.

"When you are on a run, things seems to fall for you. I don't think I'm doing anything any different than before, but I'm going into games expecting to score now," he said.

"Confidence is a big thing, especially when you play up front.

"I wasn't scoring for a while, but still contributing to the side I felt. But it's nice to score, especially as a striker because that's what you're judged on.

"If you look at our top scorers there are three or four all bunched together, which is unusual for one side but probably the difference between this season and last season because we've got a good amount of goals."