Brentford striker Charlie MacDonald reckons the relief of signing a new contract and securing his Bees future is behind his recent goal glut.

The 29-year-old penned a new two-year deal last month and has celebrated by notching seven goals in eight games, including three this week alone.

The former Charlton Athletic trainee banged in a brace to down Huddersfiield Town on Saturday before following that up with the opener in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at his former club Southend.

It has taken his tally for the campaign to 17 in a season, to leave him eyeing the magic 20-goal mark, despite having missed the opening month of the campaign with a shoulder injury.

“At the moment I’m playing with no pressure,” he said.

“Before I signed the new contract the fact I only had nine or ten goals to my name had been weighing on my mind, but obviously that is done and dusted now.

“I’m going through a bit of a purple patch at the moment and I’m delighted with the way things have gone. I’ve had a few chances and managed to put them away.

“I don’t really set myself targets, but there are five games to go so it would be nice to get one or two more and maybe get over the 20 mark.”

MacDonald, a key part of last season’s League Two title winning team, now has 35 goals to his name as a Brentford player since switching from the Shrimpers in 2008.

But he insists scoring on Tuesday night gave him no added pleasure having endured a miserable spell at Roots Hall.

“I’m still friendly with a good few people there and they are not in a good position on or off the pitch,” he added.

“It wasn’t a good time for me at Southend. I didn’t get many games and at that stage of my career I needed to be playing regularly. I’m pleased I made the move.

“It was nice to get on the scoresheet, but for me it was no better than scoring against any other club.”