Jason Oswell eager to break his Wrexham goal drought

Striker Oswell is yet to find the back of the net for the Reds since making a January move from League Two Morecambe.

But the 26-year-old is remaining confident, pointing to his 29 goals for Stockport County last season and his habit of finding the net when it really matters as just two reasons to be optimistic.

Asked whether one goal would see two, three and even four quickly follow, Oswell declared: "Definitely. I've had spells like this in the past.

"Last year for Stockport I finished with 29 goals, but I went 10 games without scoring between about January and March.

"It's the life of a striker."

Oswell found the net in Newtown's successful Welsh Premier League play-off campaign, before scoring in both legs of the Europa League preliminary round clash with Valletta.

The Northwich-born frontman also netted plenty of crucial goals as Stockport reached the National League North play-offs last term.

"I've scored in a few big games before, so I'm hoping they will come at the right time," he continued.

"All I can do is keep positive and think that when the moment arrives I will be there to step up.

"You make your own luck. The goals haven't been flying in - not at all - but it's a critical stage of the season now and if you score in these games then no-one will remember the barren spell you went on.

"This year, I've played at a level I've not played at before. I went to League Two and played 17 games and I've come here and played over 10 games, so overall I've played around 30 games in leagues that I wouldn't have done if I'd not made the move.

"Although I haven't done as well as I would have liked, sometimes you've got to take a step back and look at how you've done.

"I've been available for every game, which is a good record considering injuries in football, and I've contributed to us getting in the play-offs, which is something we've not done for six years.

"A lot of people just look at the goals - I do myself as I'm my own biggest critic - but sometimes you've got to look at the bigger picture."

Oswell ended a run of substitute appearances by starting in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Halifax, the striker creating Chris Holroyd's goal with a powerful header that was turned in by his team-mate.

"It was nice to get a start and an assist," said Oswell. "I will keep working hard because I feel as though I've made a bit of an impact as a substitute over the last couple of games, so we will see what happens in the next two.

"There are plenty of good players everywhere in football and, no matter what league you play in, there is always competition, so you've got to accept that and focus on what you can do.

"It's all about working as a team to get promoted and that's what everyone wants.

"Whether I'm playing 90 minutes or coming on as an impact sub for 15 minutes, I will be ready for whatever."

Oswell and his team-mates warm up for next week's play-off preliminary round tie with a home clash against Harrogate Town, who may well find themselves back at The Racecourse on Wednesday or Thursday night.

Wrexham's defeat at Halifax meant that the Reds will have to play another play-off match in their quest for a return to the Football League, but Oswell is unconcerned.

"If you are going to do it, you might as well do it the hard way, hey? So that's the way we will do it," he said.

"It's strange going into the play-offs. For example, last year at Stockport we went into the play-offs on a winning streak of 10 in 11 or 12 games and ended up falling at the first hurdle.

"I've seen teams really scrape into the play-offs and go on to win it, so form and things go out of the window.

"We want to get a good result and breed confidence for next week."