ANDY BOOTH today reflected on the double strike which helped Town move to within six points of the League I play-off zone and insisted: "We're getting there."

The 33-year-old strike star, fresh from agreeing a one-year contract extension which will keep him at the Galpharm until the summer of 2008, netted in the eighth and 81st minutes of the 3-1 home win over Gillingham.

Luke Beckett had given Town a head start in the third minute.

Gary Mulligan caused a few worries for home fans in a 9,167 crowd when he reduced the arrears to 2-1 after 70 minutes.

But Booth's eighth of the season and 133rd in all for Town sealed a victory which was slightly soured by the sight of Nathan Clarke going off in the aftermath of the visitors' goal.

Having been sidelined since November because of a knee injury, the 23-year-old had suffered damage to the same right joint, the extent of which should become clearer today.

It's a particular worry because Clarke's fellow centre-back Martin McIntosh declared himself "not in the right frame of mind" to play on Saturday (see Page 49).

That could lead to Jackson, whose new loan signing Andy Taylor was ruled out through illness, intensifying his efforts to bring in a defender when the loan window reopens on Wednesday.

Booth, however, is simply focusing on Saturday's tricky assignment at fourth-placed Bristol City, who play at second-placed Scunthorpe tonight.

"It will be tough, but we will go there knowing we've won three out of four and with confidence high," said Booth.

"That's the difference between now and earlier in the season.

"The players are the same, but previously we were struggling for confidence.

"That comes with wins and after an awful display down at Yeovil (Town tumbled 3-1 on January 5) I think we've finally turned the corner.

"Yeovil was a real low, but I think it jolted us into ensuring we did something about it.

"There's a long way to go yet, but we're certainly getting there in terms of the performances were looking to produce week in, week out."

Booth, whose efforts meant misery for his old Town strike partner Ronnie Jepson, now the Gillingham manager, added: "It was lovely to get two goals, but I was just as pleased to see Luke Beckett get one.

"We are the two strikers currently starting games, and people look to the strikers for goals, which we provided.

"The main thing, though, is that we won and I thought we were good value for the three points.

"Being two up at half-time we started the second half knowing the next goal would be crucial.

"We were disappointed to give one away, and that gave them a little lift for a spell.

"But we refused to panic, stuck at our task and got the crucial third goal which killed them off."

Town's Reserve derby at Bradford has been rescheduled. It will now be at Valley Parade on Tuesday, May 1 (7.00), not on the previous date of March 13.

Birmingham City now visit on Wednesday, April 18 (2.00). The seconds have a Pontin's Holidays League Central Division match at Nottingham Forest tomorrow (2.00).