FRUSTRATED striker Leon Kelly is preparing to change his style of play to beat the shackles of opposition defences.

The 27-year-old Worcester City frontman believes a few tweaks to his natural game is essential, especially after failing to hit the target this season before today's game at Harrogate Town.

Both Kelly and attack partner Adam Webster are without a Nationwide North goal, a chief factor behind City's stuttering league start.

It is in stark contrast to the success the duo enjoyed in August last year, when Kelly blasted seven and Webster five before combining to rattle 41 goals in the 2004/05 campaign.

Powerhouse Kelly's all-muscle attacking style has centred on sharp bursts down the channel, running past defenders and creating many of his own efforts.

But the former Ilkeston Town man believes it has become too predictable.

"I definitely need to change my game," admits Kelly. "I've got to start getting the ball played to my feet and I must start getting in the box more, instead of making runs down the channels.

"I've always looked to use my pace by chasing the long ball over the top. But it has become a bit predictable and defenders always sit back because they know the ball is going over the top.

"Defenders are always getting there first. I think I need to mix it up a bit, coming short for the ball instead of going long. I also need to be working more in the centre, rather than going down the line.

"I'm working on this in training and getting help off the gaffer (Andy Preece). It's good to learn off him, especially on the long ball from goal-kicks. Going up for headers, I need to do more in putting the defender off and getting there first."

Kelly concedes he is not a prolific '20-goals-a-season' merchant and often goes through games without registering a shot on target.

But opportunities have come his way in recent matches, only for him to miss out after pulling the trigger.

However, so long as he continues to find himself in the right place at the right time, Kelly believes a rush of goals is just around the corner.

Kelly added: "I thought I had one at Workington when I knocked in the rebound from Webby's shot, but it was given off-side when it should not have been.

"If that had counted, I reckon the rest would have followed for me. But I'm still waiting and hopefully it will come at Harrogate. Most of the time, I go through each game getting quite a few chances or none at all.

"This season I've been getting the chances to miss. That does not sound good, but it still gives me confidence that I'm getting in the right places to score. It is annoying, but just one of those things.

"All the way through my career I've never been an out-and-out goalscorer. I would never put myself as one of those strikers that get 20 goals a season. I like to think there is more to my game.

"The one good thing is that the defenders and midfielders are scoring. They were not scoring many last season!"