GRANT Smith readily admits his sparkling form is partly fuelled by a desire to ensure the mortgage payments will continue to be met beyond May.

The Scotsman, pictured celebrating with Sam Parkin, is one of several players out of contract at the end of the campaign and he is yet to sit down with Andy King to discuss his future.

Six goals in nine games have caught the eye of teammates, supporters and his manager, not that he is taking anything for granted.

He said: "It's your future, your job which pays the mortgage.

"I was lucky enough to get in at the start of the year and hopefully I'm doing myself justice."

Boss King acknowledges that Smith has grabbed his opportunity.

He said: "Smith has probably blossomed more than anyone at this moment in time, there's no doubt about it and that's why he is staying in the team.

"That's football for you. Brian Howard was our best player for the first two months or so of the season. The boy was tremendous before his form suffered.

"Smith comes in for what you think might be a small break but he's taken the opportunity with both hands.

"Smith's playing better and that's the position they're both fighting for."

Saturday's 2-1 win at Oldham lifted Town into eighth spot and the manager feels the season is still very much alive.

He said: "We're there, only five points behind the play-offs.

"Coming in to February I don't see that as a major crisis.

"There'll always be someone who'll criticise you for trying to do a job.

"I'd love to give all those who criticise the job for a week, I'll bet they wouldn't criticise any more after that."

Saturday's win was achieved without star performer Lee Holmes. King decided it was time the 17-year-old enjoyed a brief rest.

Holmes is in action for England Under 19s in Belgium on Wednesday and King felt the youngster could only be asked to do so much.

He said: "At 17 he's not really entitled to play three games in one week, League One, England and then League One again. I thought that would be asking a lot of him.

"Mind you, there was a period at the start of the second half when I thought I'd made a mistake."