DION Charles has admitted he has found football in League One demanding on the body at time, but believes he has adapted well to the new challenge.

Accrington Stanley's striker was signed from National league North side Southport in the summer and his goal in the win over Portsmouth on Saturday has now taken his tally to six in all competitions so far this campaign.

The 24-year-old was initially rotated with Offrande Zanzala in the starting XI, but has since struck a good partnership with Colby Bishop as they have notched a combined 18 goals.

"My body has adapted quite well to the change, as it can be quite hard and demanding at times," said Charles.

"I knew when I came here that I had to get used to it quickly if I want to go far in the game.

"I like to score goals myself, but if you can't score goals then it's always good to provide the assists for other players in the team.

"I work hard every game and if I can't score, then I always like to think I can provide good opportunities for the other lads.

"I can play in a number of positions, both up front and out wide and playing with different people is good for me.

"We're all very good players here and it helps if you can adapt and make partnerships with every player.

"If you're thinking positive and you're doing well in training all the time, then it starts brushing off and you get good habits.

"We're doing it on match days as well now which is massive for us going ahead into the Christmas period."

The striker is now playing three levels above from where he was last season as he was signed from National League North side Southport in the summer and has since become a fixture up front with Bishop - who was also captured from the same league.

"It always helps when the team is playing well and we're getting the results, now it's just about keeping that momentum going forward over the Christmas period," added Charles.

"We've got a massive game coming up against a big club in Doncaster Rovers and we could go above them with a win, so hopefully we can all put in a good performance and get the three points."

“It's still just a normal game and it's still three points at stake.

"It doesn't matter who the opposition is, we'll go there and try to perform at our best like we do in every game.

"My main focus is ultimately to perform well on the day and hopefully grab a goal or an assist for the team, and that'll hopefully mean we clinch the three points."

Stanley are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in a period that has not been kind to them in recent years and are now just six points away from reaching mid table in League One.

Charles insists his side are taking one game at a time.

"If you get a few good results during the festive period then you can fly up the table, and who knows what happens after that.

"We've got to take it a game at a time as at the minute we're doing very well, but we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves."