JAMES Dunne hopes his licence to get forward more this season can help Swindon Town turn the tide in their search for a more fruitful return in front of goal.

Dunne has just one goal to his name in a 58-game Town career so far, notching against Crawley Town back in August – a match in which he was later sent off – after drawing a blank in his debut campaign with the club.

The 29-year-old operated in a much deep position in midfield under former boss David Flitcroft last term, but Phil Brown has allowed him much more freedom since his appointment as manager.

Since a classy 3-0 win at Yeovil Town in late September, Town have scored six goals in nine games – although half of those came in a Checkatrade Trophy tie away at Plymouth Argyle.

Brown’s side drew a blank in three consecutive League Two matches last month before ending that drought in a 2-1 win at Notts County a fortnight ago.

Dunne is well aware that the team need to be much more ruthless in front of goal and hopes he can start to contribute more himself in that regard.

“I sat deeper last season, but since the gaffer came in, he has been allowing me to go on,” said Dunne.

“I got the goal against Crawley but then got sent off, so I was out for the next three games and couldn’t really get on a roll. Hopefully I can add more goals to my game.

“The gaffer has let me off the leash and said to get in the box every chance I get. I have been and chances seem to be coming to me, so I have got to be more clinical when they do come to me.”

Town’s lack of a cutting edge in the final third reappeared last weekend in a 1-0 defeat at Colchester United.

With a big opportunity to earn FA Cup progress today with a first-round home tie against National League North side York City, Dunne says that is something that needs to be rectified.

“Notts County was a very good performance defensively. They had chances, but we defended well and got the two goals – that’s what we had struggled with,” said Dunne.

“Then at Colchester, we switched off for two minutes and it’s probably why they are where they are at the moment and we are where we are.

“They took their chance and then we had chances in the second half to probably win the game 2-1 again, but the keeper made a good save and unfortunately we missed the other one.

“Other than that, it was an even game. We defended well, they had chances and we chances, but they took theirs and we didn’t and that’s why they got the three points.

“For Saturday, I think we have to keep doing what we have been doing and be a bit more clinical when it comes into their box.”