Gaul took his goal tally for the season to 15 as the division's joint leading scorer with the quick-fire double that rescued a point against Pickering Town last Saturday.

And while Phil Brown’s men have slipped three points off the play-off pace on the back of a three-game winless run, Gaul believes a top-five finish in still in their sights as they prepare for Tuesday night’s trip to high-flying Pontefract Collieries.

“I won the league last year with Atherton Collieries and it would be great to get in the play-offs with Clitheroe and maybe go up again,” said Gaul, who became one of Brown’s first new signings in a summer re-build for the Blues.

“It’s a tough league. Anyone can get in the play-offs. We’ve just got to keep going, but we can’t perform like we did in that first half against Pickering.

“We have got to be like we were in the last 30 minutes throughout the whole game.

“We were sloppy in the first half, but we were better in the second half and it was great character to come back like we did.

“We were 2-0 down at Pickering as well and came back to win 3-2 and I think we could have done that again.

“We’ve got to pick up where we left off at Pontefract. It will be a tough game, but we will go there and try and win again.”

Gaul has quickly become a firm favourite at Shawbridge with his ability to beat a man and an eye for goal.

His running total would have been two better had the 22-year-old not missed twice from the spot as the Blues lost at home to Tadcaster Albion a fortnight ago.

But his two classy finishes against the Pikes underlined his well-being ahead of the visit to the fourth-placed Colls.

And the Darwen-based frontman is evidently thriving as part of Brown’s squad.

“Missing the two penalties was a bit sore for me, but after two defeats it was important to get something on Saturday and it was nice to get two more goals,” Gaul added.

“Browny has given me lot of licence to attack. So far it’s gone well and I’m enjoying my football here.

“It’s been a great first part of the season. We’re getting great crowds and the fans have been brilliant. Fair play to them and I hope we can keep it going.”

(Main image: Adam Braithwaite)