HIS goal ratio may not yet match the staggering statistics he enjoyed at Harrogate RA that earned him a move to Darlington, but Nathan Cartman says he does not mind as long as Quakers can maintain their promotion push.

Cartman's winner at Scarborough Athletic on Easter Monday was his sixth goal for Quakers in 16 appearances, the Yorkshireman enjoying a purple patch with four goals in as many games.

The goal spree has put to bed what had been a slow start since joining in January from Railway, where he scored an astonishing 36 goals in 35 appearances.

Maintaining such a streak was unlikely – even Lion Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have lean spells – but he’s rediscovered his shooting boots of late.

He said: “I was talking to Martin Gray about it before the Scarborough game. It was five goals in 15 appearances so that’s one in three.

“Most strikers would probably be happy with that, but the way I was playing at Harrogate it was near enough one in one.

“But I’m not complaining. As long as I’m playing and we’re winning games it doesn’t really matter about me scoring.”

Cartman will be involved today when Darlington face Mossley at Heritage Park, another must-win game in Quakers’ quest for automatic promotion, and he will hope that his son can bring the team some luck by being the team’s mascot.

Four-year-old Alfie is no stranger to being on the pitch with his dad. Five days ago he became centre of attention with a burst of pace from the sidelines when he dashed onto the pitch towards his dad.

That was after full-time, while a week ago during the 5-2 win over Droylsden, when Cartman netted twice, he celebrated by posing for a picture with his excited son.

Cartman explained: “He just wanted a cuddle off his dad, so we did that I then I sent him straight back off.

“He used to do it at Harrogate, he’d come on after every game for a cuddle and a kick-around with the lads, but it’s not like that here he doesn’t understand this is a bigger club. That’s no disrespect to Harrogate, it’s just things are different here.

“Before last Saturday’s game against Droylsden he asked me to run over to him if I scored. I forgot the first time I scored because he was stood on the opposite side to where I scored, but the second time I remembered.

“It urges me on him being there, I want to do well for him as well as everyone who has backed me so far and my team-mates.”