HAVING being back by his manager in recent weeks to find the net more often, Hartlepool winger Luke Molyneux is relishing in his best run of form in front of goal. 

The 23-year-old, who is now entering his fourth season with Pools, netted the winner in yesterday's 2-1 victory of Northampton in League Two scoring a volley in the 83rd minute.

Molyneux has undergone a positional change this season playing more or less as a striker rather than a wide man placing the expectation for goals more on his shoulders.

He's already surpassed his best goals tally in a Pools shirt but admits he won't be resting on his laurels with the manager backing him to reach double figures for the season. 

Molyneux said: "I don't think I've had this many goals in a season, I know three isn't a lot but we've still got 30-plus games left so at the moment it's going well and I'm enjoying it. 

"I think you've got to put targets in front of you. There's no point thinking, I've got three already, I've done well, you've got to aim as high as you can and I know I've got the capabilities to do that. 

"It gives me a lot of confidence, I'm a confident player anyway but to have faith from the manager is a big thing. I just need to keep taking that out on the pitch and keep getting the goals and assists. 

"The main thing for me is to keep scoring and getting wins for the team so we can push as high as we can in the league. You can see we're just outside the play-offs and only two off automatic so it's looking good at the moment we just need to keep pushing on."

Molyneux struggled to gain a starting place in Challinor's side last season but it looks like it's his shirt to lose at the moment. 

Pools have entered a new league this season and have taken it in their stride, particularly at home. The former Sunderland man admits there is a big difference stepping up to the fourth tier. 

Molyneux added: "It's a lot more football based, in the National League, it was a lot more physical and not as much football got played, the ball was in the air a lot more. I think this league it suits us a lot more and it's more enjoyable to watch. 

"It suits me too because I don't want to be heading the ball all the time and as long as the ball is on the floor I'm happy. We're doing well at the moment and I think we can keep building on that."