SAM Finley admits his big breakthrough into the Accrington Stanley side has come earlier than he expected, but he is determined to seize the opportunity with both hands.

The midfielder began the season on the bench, after arriving from AFC Fylde in the summer.

But he kept his place in the starting XI after earning his first start in the League Cup defeat at Mansfield, in which he scored the opening goal.

Now, playing in a more advanced role in support of striker Billy Kee, he’s hoping to add his first league goal of the season.

“I’d love to score,” said the 26-year-old, ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Scunthorpe.

“It’s been a big step up coming from the Conference - a big jump, two leagues, into League One. But I think I’m finding my feet very well and sort of found my place in the team the last few games, and I’m loving it,” added the Liverpudlian.

“It’s come probably a little bit quicker than I thought to be honest with you.

“I always knew that the gaffer was probably going to be loyal to the team that won them the league last year, and deservedly so. I was maybe expecting it to be at least 10 games where I was going to have to keep trying and plucking away and maybe getting on off the bench and things like that.

“But the gaffer’s put his faith in me and is playing me in maybe a bit of a different role than I’m used to, but I think I’ve taken to it quite well.

“I’m used to getting on the ball in the middle and starting play so it’s different waiting for the ball and waiting for the play to come to you. But I’ll play anywhere to be involved.

“I’m excited to see what happens throughout the season.”

Although awaiting their first home win of the season, Stanley go into tomorrow’s game boosted by a four-game unbeaten run that has included wins at Bristol Rovers and Oxford United, and last week’s late point at Blackpool.

The Reds have come back from behind in each of their last three games, including the 1-1 draw with Charlton in their last home game.

But Finley is looking to get on the front foot early, and stay there.

“We’ve gone behind a few times this season and come back, so we’ve shown we can do that. It shows how fit we are because we keep going to the end,” he said. “But if we can get the first goal it would give everyone a lift and get the crowd going.”