WANDERERS skipper Paul Hayes has backed strike partner Matt McClure to be back amongst the goals soon after the youngster endured another frustrating afternoon.

McClure scored 20 times over the course of the last two seasons but has found the back of the net just once in 12 matches so far this campaign.

It's not been through want of trying - he came close to doubling his season's tally against Cambridge on Saturday but saw a flying header come back off the woodwork.

Hayes said his personal run of form, bagging five goals in ten games, and McClure's barren spell indicated the fine margins strikers live by.

And Hayes said his team mate's performances had brought with them everything else apart from the goals he's been looking for.

He said: "I think he's been on top of his game. I know forwards are judged by their goals but if you're not scoring goals you've got to work hard, hold it up and play well for the team, and I think Matty's done that ever so well since the start of the season.

"Every game he's started he's done well. It's hard for him because he hasn't scored goals. At all levels he's played, he's scored goals, so he'll eventually get it.

"You can prepare right, do everything right and you don't score. Matty's a prime example. He works hard in training and does everything he can on the pitch and it's not going in for him at the moment.

"As soon as he gets that goal he'll start scoring again. At the moment whatever I hit is going in - I know it's not going to last. I have to make sure I sustain that level of consistency throughout the second half of the season."