Terry Gornell is out to score a goal that will mean something tomorrow as Stanley kick off their FA¿Cup campaign against League One side Oldham.

The 20-year-old striker has grabbed two goals in two games but both have counted for nothing, coming in Stanley defeats which has seen the Reds drop to 18th place in the League Two table.

So Stanley top scorer Gornell wants what will be his seventh goal of the campaign to be the one which secures a Reds’ win – and it would be ideal for it to come against Paul Dickov’s Latics in the FA¿Cup first round.

"I am pleased to have six goals for the season but, to be honest, they don’t mean a lot when you are not winning," said the former Tranmere hitman.

"They have just turned out to be consolations. When you keep conceding goals, my goals are going unnoticed really.

"Hopefully we can tighten up at the back and defend as a team and then I can continue scoring and they will actually be noticed."

The Reds defence is something of a horror show at the moment with 24 goals conceded in the last eight league games including a 4-2 defeat to Cheltenham on Saturday followed by a 5-2 loss to league leaders Chesterfield on Tuesday night.

"It is tough at the moment as we are conceding so many goals," said Gornell, after Stanley kept six clean sheets in their opening seven league games but have now not won in five games.

"I don’t think the gaffer can believe the goals we are conceding and the way we are conceding them. It’s too easy.

"At Chesterfield, and Cheltenham before that, they scored quickly and then I guess the nerves set in a bit because of our record and Chesterfield had scored three by half-time and it’s embarrassing, if I’m honest.

"We had such a good start to the season but now we are punished with everything we do and we are giving away such cheap goals. For some reason we are making mistakes a couple of times a game."

He continued: "We are trying to keep morale up and hoping it’s just a blip that we can get out of soon and we can become a solid defensive unit again but still score the goals.

"And the Oldham game represents a break from the league which is something we need at the moment.

"A cup run would be great for the players, the gaffer and for the fans as well as making decent money for the club. It’s massive for us – and the town.

"It gets us away from the league and looking at the league table and, if we can win tomorrow against Oldham, it will give us some confidence going into the league programme over November and December."

The Reds made history last season getting to the fourth round for the first time with victories over Salisbury, Barnet, Gillingham and then losing to Premier League Fulham on a memorable day at the Crown Ground.

But the Reds daren’t look too far ahead with Oldham – who they beat in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last season – standing in their way.

Gornell has actually faced the new-look Latics this season – his former club Tranmere played them on the opening day of the season and lost 2-0. "They are a decent side and Paul Dickov will have them well-organised," he said. "They have a lot of ability but it will be a different game coming to our place. You can guarantee they won’t like the Crown Ground.

"If we can get through this round, then the next one comes quickly at the end of November and it’s something to look forward to, especially with the draw on Sunday."

Gornell admits the Reds do badly need a lift as they have gone from the promotion places to closer to the drop zone after five defeats in their last eight games.

"That just goes to show how quickly it can change in the league," said Gornell. "In five games, we have gone from the play-off places to the wrong end of the table.

"We have to hope that, in the next five games, we can go on a run and get back up towards the top of the table as it is still tight. We have got to get back to basics and tighten up at the back. I would love to score a goal that wins a game."

Leam Richardson (calf) could feature tomorrow after missing the last two games.

  • £18,000 prize money is up for grabs for victory in the first round.
  • Oldham have sold more than 1,000 tickets for tomorrow’s game.
  • If it goes to a replay, it will be on Tuesday 16 November at Boundary Park.