Peter Murphy is sitting pretty at the top of the Stanley goalscoring charts – a place he never imagined he would be.

The defender made it three goals for the season with his strike on Saturday at leaders Crawley – and ended a seven-hour goal drought for the Reds as well as getting rid of the unwanted tag of Stanley never having led at half-time this season.

As a defender, he admits the goals are a bonus – but he is enjoying them.

"Top scorer – I can’t believe it," smiled the 21-year-old.

"I am happy to get to three, I would have taken that for the whole season before it started, but it is the result that matters really."

Murphy admitted he had a little help from his team-mate before he converted Charlie Barnett’s free kick against Crawley just before half-time. "I wasn’t going to go into the box but Dean Winnard told me to go up and have a go.

"I thought the keeper would come out and get to the ball but he never did so I just stuck my foot out and in it went.

"I was delighted. The bookmakers had us at 8-1 to win before the game because Crawley had been going so well and everyone wrote us off.

"But we have done well away from home this season and I think we defended really well on Saturday.

"After I had scored and they were going for the equaliser, they were just launching long balls forward and we were happy with that.

"It’s better than someone passing their way down the pitch and putting in crosses.

"We can deal with long balls but we didn’t deal with a throw-in which is disappointing but it was a great finish by their lad to equalise.

"I had been looking at their big clock before their goal and it just wasn’t moving. I did feel sick when they scored but overall I thought we defended well.

"They are top of the table so a point isn’t a bad result in the end."

This season Murphy has really come into his own, securing a place in the starting XI and making sure boss John Coleman has to think hard about dislodging him.

"I had a run in the side but then I was dropped to the bench for Cheltenham but I don’t mind that – you have just got to get on with it and work your way back into the side," he added.

"I came in for Shrewsbury and held my place for Crawley and hopefully I can keep it against Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

"I have waited four years to get a run in the side. All I have wanted is regular football so I am enjoying it now."