CONNOR Smith has volunteered his services as a York City striker after ending his 34-game wait for a first senior goal.

The 21-year-old winger also admitted that his lack of potency has probably cost him the chance of more opportunities with the Minstermen, where he has been restricted to just two starts since a summer move from Hartlepool.

Smith ended his barren run with the equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chorley and, after a series of promising but ultimately goal-less cameos in the past, hopes that contribution will enhance his bid to make the starting line-up for this weekend’s Bootham Crescent derby against title hopefuls Harrogate Town.

The Stockton-born attacker has also only netted once for the reserves this term and, on that occasion, when his old club Hartlepool were seen off 5-2, he was upstaged by Alex Kempster, who hit a hat-trick as a trialist to earn himself a pro deal and a place above Smith in the pecking order for first-team duty.

Having witnessed James Gray recalled to the first XI completely from the cold, following his late winner against Southport, Smith believes making an impact where it most counts now holds the key to improving his outlook at Bootham Crescent.

With Jon Parkin, Kemspter and Louis Almond all sidelined, while Gray and Raul Correia struggled to stake a claim before being hauled off against Chorley, Smith appreciates too that his selection prospects could be enhanced if he can prove himself in an orthodox striking role.

Reflecting on breaking his duck at the weekend and its possible significance, Smith admitted: “That first goal in professional football has been a long time coming.

“I’ve had shots in the past, but they’ve not quite gone for me, so it was great to finally get a goal that actually means something to people. Sometimes, I’ve come on and done OK, but goals get you noticed and, hopefully, I’ve put myself in a better position than before in terms of starting the next match.

“As an attack-minded player, goals are everything. You can create opportunities and put balls in the right areas, but the best way of getting your name out there is by scoring.

“I’ve been trying to do that for a while and I hope I can continue to do so now, because putting the ball in the net is the objective of football. I’ve played up front in the past and, to be totally honest, it’s been hit and miss.

“At Hartlepool, I did have a couple of good games as a striker, but I wasn’t consistent enough long-term and got moved out wide. Saturday was one of my better games up there though and I’d like to think I can play there if needed.”

Smith was paired with 17-year-old forward Flynn McNaughton against Chorley, as both players were introduced off the bench, with the former congratulating the second-year scholar on his promising debut.

“I’ve played a few games for the reserves with Flynn and he deserved his chance, so I was pleased for him,” Smith added. “He holds the ball up pretty well most of the time and he laid some good balls off for me.”