Hartlepool United striker Charlie Caton hoping to score the goals to fire Pools into the National League play-off places
Hartlepool United striker Charlie Caton is hoping his goals can help inspire Pools towards the National League play-offs.
The 23-year-old's 49th minute strike, his second Pools goal since signing on loan from League Two side Accrington Stanley last month, helped Nicky Featherstone's team secure a battling 1-0 win over bottom club Truro City at the weekend.
Having made the mammoth 436-mile trip to the Cornish capital, Pools were under pressure to return home with all three points following a bitterly disappointing run of back-to-back defeats.
After failing to score in consecutive games - indeed, Pools have struggled for goals all season, drawing a blank in 12 of their 37 National League fixtures - Featherstone handed the Welsh-born frontman his first start for the club.
Caton, who enjoyed a productive spell with National League North side Chester City before signing for Accrington in January last year, became the match-winner on Saturday, beating Tinners goalkeeper Aidan Stone at the second attempt after his initial effort had been saved four minutes after the break.
While Pools look to have little more than a slim chance of sneaking into the play-off places - Halifax Town, who are five points clear of Featherstone's side, and Southend United, who have a four-point advantage with three games in hand, both won at the weekend - Caton's strike did at least keep them within touching distance of the top seven.
"I'm tired, especially after the journey down here," Caton told The Red Radio.
"As we said in the changing room, there's no point coming all the way down here and not winning - that's what we did at the end of the day, although it wasn't pretty.
"Absolutely, the result was all that mattered. We said in the dressing room, let's get three points and get out of here. I'm lucky to get a goal there - well, not lucky, pleased - and it was good to have the chance to celebrate with the fans.
"I try not to give defenders any time and I think the centre-back switched off a bit there. I took my opportunity; I feel like I should have scored the first one but fortunately the keeper's given it back to me and I've stuck it away.
"It's been really good so far, I'm getting to know the lads a bit more now; they're all great, and so are all the staff and the fans. I'm really enjoying it, hopefully we can start to pick up some more wins now.
"Absolutely, I think we can still finish in the play-offs, I haven't come here not to finish in the play-offs. That's our main aim and all we can do is focus on ourselves; we can't rely on anyone else, we've got to get the wins.
"I'll try and get a few more goals between now and the end of the season - hopefully that will get us in the play-offs."