ROOKIE striker Kurtis Guthrie is aiming to kick-on against Dover on Saturday.

Guthrie hit a stunning brace in Rovers' 3-3 thriller at fellow Conference play-off chasers Torquay last weekend as Ady Pennock’s side clawed their way back from 3-1 down with 15 minutes left.

“It was nice to get off the mark because it’s been a bit of a difficult time for myself,” said the 21-year-old, Jersey-born youngster, who joined in the summer from Welling.

“When I first came in I don’t think the fans knew too much about me and I know they weren’t too sure about me.

“But I’ve had to dig in and show what I can do, which is something I relish. It’s a fresh start for me and hopefully I can kick-on now.”

Despite being brought to the club as winger, Guthrie is happy to play a striking role alongside veteran striker Lee Hughes

He said: “I was signed as a winger so I didn't expect to play up front, but the gaffer (Ady Pennock) has given me an opportunity and I used to play there all the time.

“I've never had the pleasure of playing with a player as experienced as Lee Hughes before so I just want to learn as much as I can from him.”

Having clocked up a year at the helm, Pennock is looking to turn Rovers into a “proper” football club.

“I want us to be a proper football club and I didn’t think that was the case when I first came here.

“The foundations are being set and it will be interesting to see where we are in another year’s time.

“A stat came out the other day that showed we’re 11 points better off and 10 places higher than this time last year,” said Pennock.

“The average crowd is also 30 per cent up, so it can’t have been a bad year.

“I’d like to thank all the players who have been with me for the whole year, the fans and the chairman for the fantastic support he has given me.

“They have all had a go and there were some good performances, and I would be more than happy to put anybody in.”