Player of the month, top of the goal charts and scorer of the winner against Lancaster, Andy Hayward is enjoying his time at Park Avenue.

But the former Rotherham United player, chasing the all-time scoring record, has a bigger ambition with the club.

"I don't think there is anything stopping us getting back into the Football League," said Hayward, who played 93 games and scored 15 goals at that level in his younger days.

"I would love more than anything to play for Avenue in Division Three, it would mean so much to me and everyone else.

"But time might be running out for me. I am 31 and I don't know how many seasons I have left. But it would be great to take the team back up there - and there is nothing to stop us.

"All we can hope for this year is cup wins, and of course winning those trophies would be excellent, but there will be no promotion this year.

"We have to ensure we don't get relegated this year, and I am sure we have done enough for that, and then we can have a big push next year."

His ambition is genuine and he feels with Trevor Storton at the reins and the fervent support of the committed fans it is something the club deserves - and can achieve.

"You can't think about it too much," he added. "We have to play the games week to week, but there is more to Avenue than your average non-league club and you can sense that here.

"I think certain things are in place for us to move up to the Conference, and then anything is possible."

Hayward, a clever striker with an eye for the spectacular goal, was the club's record signing since re-formation, costing them £10,000 from Frickley.

He has bagged 23 goals this season, 12 short of the record set by Darren Wardman 11 years ago, but with up to 16 games left, he has got a short-term target.

"Of course I love scoring goals," added Hayward immediately after being handed a gallon of whisky for his performances in February, which included a goal of the season contender against Burscough.

"But getting Avenue back to the Football League is the most important thing."

The fans will appreciate his sentiment, but none will begrudge him netting enough for the record in this season's remaining games.