GRIMSBY Town defender Scott Garner is revelling in his new role as the third member of Grimsby Town's goal-machine.

The recalled centre-back is in fine form at the heart of the defence but has also weighed in with some important goals in the last month – three .

In fact, only Town's strike duo of Liam Hearn (nine) and Anthony Elding (four) have scored as many since Christmas.

Garner has three – all of which have come away from home, albeit in front of the travelling Town hordes.

Now he is gunning for a first Blundell Park goal against AFC Telford United today (3pm).

Garner said: "It's been a great start to 2012 for me, from Boxing Day and the goal in the derby.

"Hopefully, I can continue to get goals as well. It would be nice to get a home one because I haven't got one in front of the home fans yet.

"Every time I have scored it's been away, but at least it has been in front of our fans each time.

"I always like to chip in with a few goals. The amount of games I have played in my career, I think I've got my fair share.

"You get a lot of messages when people see your name pop up as a scorer on Sky Sports; it's surprising how many people do see it."

Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, his goal at Barrow in midweek – a bullet header from a Michael Coulson free-kick – didn't prove to be the winner after Town conceded in the last minute.

Nevertheless, like his managers, Garner wasn't too disheartened in picking up a point.

He went on: "If you had told us on the way up to Barrow we would come away with a point, we'd probably have taken it.

"Not a lot of teams get a point there, but the form we are in, we expected three.

"The way it ended as well, was disappointing. If that late goal hadn't gone in, we would have won and I would have scored the winner which would have been nice for me.

"We don't work on free-kicks like that specifically but I always try to get in a good position.

"Coulo's free-kick was like a cross-cum-shot that has a good chance of going in even if no-one touches it. I made a run across the keeper and got in front of him.

"It felt like a loss, but it wasn't and the unbeaten run continues."

Garner has started six consecutive matches since coming off the bench to score at Lincoln; his patience rewarded after being in the shadows for the first half of the season.

Now he's part of a settled back four and is loving every minute of it.

He added: "You do get frustrated when you aren't in the team but there is no need to share it with everyone; they don't need to know.

"I kept it to myself, and waited for my chance. Luckily it came and I took it.

"Mills (Ian Miller) has settled in well and we have kept a few clean sheets.

"You will concede now and again but more clean sheets will help the team."

"Getting a settled back four helps and hopefully we can keep it tight again against Telford."