BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jonathan Stead today said he's more determined than ever to end his seven-month goal drought.

Stead's New Year's resolution is to prove he's not a one-season wonder in the Premiership and he's promised to redouble his efforts as he looks for the goal that could kick-start season.

The 21-year-old hasn't scored for Rovers since he bagged the winner against Manchester United on May 1 last year.

But although the former Huddersfield hit-man admits his confidence has taken a battering, he went into today's game against Charlton Athletic believing the New Year could bring a change in fortune.

"It's not coming at the moment," said Stead, who scored six goals in 13 appearances at the back end of last season to keep Rovers in the Premiership.

"I went close last week (against Bolton) but you've just got to keep battling away and believe in yourself that one day it will come.

"I haven't lost that belief. Obviously, my confidence isn't particularly high at the moment but I'm still battling away and working as hard as I can to get that goal.

"I'm looking at the New Year as a fresh start. If it hasn't gone for you at the back end of 2004 then you might as well start 2005 with a clean sheet and try and kick on from there with something to build on.

"I just need one goal to get me going but it's easier said than done just finding that one.

"It could be anything. A deflection or anything that just hits me and goes in.

"That could set me off but in the meantime I've just got to keep working hard to get that one."

Stead drew a blank once again on Saturday as Rovers lost for only the second time in 11 games when they went down 1-0 at Aston Villa.

But Stead and his team-mates were hoping to put that right against Charlton at Ewood this afternoon.

"We didn't deserve to get anything out of Saturday's game," said Stead.

"You think you're going in the right direction and then a performance like that really kicks you in the teeth so all the lads were very disappointed and so were the staff."