JIMMY Spencer has admitted a massive weight was lifted off his shoulders when he smashed in Cheltenham Town's fourth goal in their 5-0 win at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.

The on-loan striker from Huddersfield had not scored since the 3-0 home win over Southend United on December 10 and the pressure was starting to affect him.

He replaced the injured Jeff Goulding in the final minute of the first half and put in a performance described by boss Mark Yates as like the "Jimmy Spencer of old."

He finished powerfully past Dave Hogan at the near post, although he later revealed he was intending to place his shot across the substitute goalkeeper.

"It does affect your confidence when you don't score because the fans want you to score and that's your job as a striker," Spencer said.

"There is pressure on you if you don't score so as soon as it hit the back of net, the pressure was off my shoulders and it was a big relief.

"I always want more and I had another chance maybe I should have taken, but I'll settle for one and I want to go on a run of scoring now."

Spencer has now scored eight for the season and his next target is to reach double figures.

He may have to settle for a place on the bench against AFC Wimbledon this evening, with Goulding expected to recover from a dead leg in time to start.

But the 20-year-old has done his chances of a recall no harm at all.

He knows he faces stiff competition from Goulding and leading scorer Darryl Duffy, with the current 4-5-1 formation only leaving room for one central front man.

"There is always competition and we have three similar players really," he said.

"Once you get your chance, you have to take it and do the best you can.

"Jeff was doing well before he came off on Saturday and Darryl always does well, so it just depends who the gaffer fancies, but I was definitely glad to get a goal.

"I couldn't have asked for a better game to go on with us 3-0 up and it was a good chance to score a few goals and I will keep working hard and hopefully there will be plenty more to come."