Paul Vines always knew he would get back on the Carshalton Athletic scoresheet - because his mum told him he would.

The former Kingstonian striker struck the winner on Saturday as the Robins eased the pressure on manager Paul Dipre with a 1-0 win over Margate - their first success in a month.

It was Vines' first goal in the league since the opening day of the season and one he hopes will now spark a run in front of goal for him and a string of victories for the team.

"It is my job to score goals, it is something I have always taken a great pleasure from doing," he said.

"But when you haven't had one for a while, you get a bit snatchy and try things you don't normally do.

"It starts to affect the rest of your life outside of football, you get a bit depressed.

"But I try not to let it get to me as I am my own worst critic - well apart from my mum.

"She told me to keep doing what I am doing and it will work, and it did on Saturday."

Carshalton, who host Harrow Borough on Saturday, were one of the early season favourites but have struggled to live up to that billing, which Vines puts down a combination of new players and other sides upping their game against them.

"We have a whole new squad and we have been trying to adapt to each other," he said.

"I do not think we are too far away, it is just a matter of getting some confidence between us.

"Every game is going to be hard as a lot of teams up their game by 20 per cent because we have been named as one to beat.

"With most the teams adding that emphasis to their own game, and us not completely clicking yet, it makes life very difficult."