Daniel aims for last Laff

STAR TURN . . . Athletic full-back Daniel Lafferty produced a man of the match display against Blackpool.

DANIEL  Lafferty dmitted that not winning the Blackpool game was difficult to accept.

But he believes goals will arrive soon - with Gillingham prime candidates for Athletic to rediscover their scoring touch.

This weekend’s home game sees loan Burnley left-back Lafferty (26) revisit the opponents he faced in his first match in an Athletic shirt.

That 3-3 draw in a wide-open contest at the Gills’ Priestfield home was one of the best

performances Athletic have managed this season. It was also the only time this season they have found the net three times in 90 minutes.

While goals have dried up at one end lately, John Sheridan’s management has led to three clean sheets in a row.

As part of that solid defensive line-up, ex-Derry star Lafferty’s only regret is a lack of potency in the opposition box.

“The overall feeling was that it was two points lost rather than a point gained,” Lafferty said after the Bloomfield Road stalemate. “It almost felt like a defeat. We knew how big the game was and for the majority of the game we controlled it.

“It’s an opportunity missed - and that’s another game gone now, against a side down there around us.

“But if you want to win games you have to score goals.”

Athletic almost broke their duck in the second half against Blackpool, first through Lafferty, whose low-angled shot was well saved, then through Curtis Main.

Second in the Sky Bet League One table, Gillingham will arrive at SportsDirect.com Park in confident mood. But the Athletic left back feels they can be exploited.

“They are a team you can definitely get at,” he added. “It is going to be a tough game. They are up near the top for a reason and they score plenty of goals — but I think they are probably a bit vulnerable at the back. We will look to capitalise on that.”

There are five games in total to be played before he returns to Burnley after the Swindon home test next month.