IN-FORM striker Amari Morgan-Smith believes York City boss Gary Mills is responsible for getting him back on the goal trail.

Morgan-Smith has netted four times in his last five games, including a Checkatrade Trophy effort in his last match for Cheltenham before making the switch to Bootham Crescent.

But, prior to that goal, the former Luton and Oldham marksman had only hit the target once in 37 matches and, on the reason for his new-found potency, the Wolverhampton-born, 27-year-old said: “I can only put it down to the gaffer and how positive he’s been. He’s not really put any pressure on me, as such, to score goals.

“He’s just told me to go out there and show him what I’ve got, while trying to be as dangerous as possible. He’s given me the confidence to go out there and play my normal game and, right now, I’m feeling like I’m going to score in every game and, as a striker, that feeling is always nice to have, so long may it continue.”

Morgan-Smith has also vowed to carry on being a menace to goalkeepers.

All three of his strikes for the Minstermen have come when opposition net-minders were favourites to win the ball, including the forcing of a mistake from Nuneaton keeper Christian Dibble last weekend.

Outlining his willingness to induce errors, Morgan-Smith added: “You should always chase down any loose balls, especially at the level Nuneaton play at, with no disrespect to them. But, in whatever game, you never know what can come about if you close down lost causes.”

With Jon Parkin available again for tomorrow’s home clash with Maidstone after serving a one-match suspension, Mills could revert from 3-5-2 to the 3-4-3 formation that saw Morgan-Smith and Vadaine Oliver flank the former Championship forward at Aldershot.

Whilst admitting that he prefers to operate as an orthodox centre forward, if that change is made, Morgan-Smith will use his past experience of operating in a three-pronged strike-force with minimal fuss.

“I’ll do whatever is asked of me and give everything I can to help the team,” he promised. “I prefer playing up front in a 4-4-2, where I can get goals and be in dangerous positions in the box, but I’ve played in a three many times throughout my career.

“It’s nothing new to me and I’m just enjoying my football. I’d play at right back or left back, as long as I’m out there on the pitch.”

Out of contract at parent club Cheltenham in the summer, the ex-England C international has reiterated, meanwhile, that he would entertain a permanent move to North Yorkshire in the summer.

“I’d consider staying here most definitely, but that will take care of itself if I keep doing what the gaffer is asking of me and do my job to help get the club safe as quickly as we can,” he reasoned.

Morgan-Smith went on to reveal how his former Whaddon Road team-mate Dan Parslow is loving his second spell with the Minstermen.

“Having Dan here has been great, because he’s been able to tell me things about the club I didn’t really know,” the 6ft attacker pointed out. “He’s also so much happier here.

“You can see that in his body language since he’s been back here.”

City tackle next opponents Maidstone knowing that victory will lift them off the bottom of the table - a position the club have occupied since the New Year’s Day defeat to fellow strugglers North Ferriby United.

That reverse has been followed by a sequence of five matches undefeated and Morgan-Smith insisted the club are just concentrating on maintaining their current form and, then, an improvement in league position will follow.

“It’s a massive game and it’s a six-pointer, but we’re not looking at the league table any more and are just trying to continue our unbeaten run,” he declared. “I don’t think any team at the minute would be looking forward to coming to York.”