SAM PARKIN has Peter Eastoe's 30-year league scoring record in his sights while his manager has highlighted the youngster's role in keeping him in employment.

Town's No 9 netted a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Wrexham, taking his League One tally to 21 goals (22 in all competitions).

It leaves him five short of equalling Eastoe's tally for the 1974-75 season.

Parkin fell one short of that during his first season at the County Ground, the 2002-3 campaign.

With eight matches remaining, he is hungry to finally smash the record.

He said: "To have scored 20 plus in three successive seasons is a nice landmark to achieve. Obviously if we hadn't beaten Wrexham then the goals mean nothing.

"It makes me proud. I've really enjoyed my three years here. If I can go on now and maybe beat the 26 goals then that would be a great way to end my third season."

The man who plucked Parkin from Chelsea in the summer of 2002 is running out of plaudits for 'Super' Sammy.

Andy King said: "If there's a better centre forward in the club's history then I'd like to know about him.

"The old timers will argue about it.

"I say quite openly that for the three years he's been here he's kept me in a job.

"Without Sam Parkin I don't know where I'd be. But having said all that, I found him.

"The boy brings goals to the side and brings belief for others. They know if they get the ball in there then there's a chance Parkin will score.

"I don't want to ever lose him. He's the best striker in this league. That's the end of the argument.

"No-one can come up with a better one.

"If they did they can ring me up and I still wouldn't swap him."

The respect between manager and player is mutual. Parkin said: "The gaffer's been great for me.

"I think I've become a better player this year.

"He's worked tirelessly with me. I'm enjoying working with Mick (Harford) as well. He's already had an influence."