A SOLITARY Cody McDonald goal five weeks ago at the Priestfield Stadium booked City's passage through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy area quarter-final.

Now the 23-year-old striker is hoping to repeat the trick in tonight's meeting with Swindon Town at the County Ground (7.30pm).

Like Gillingham in the last round, City travel to Swindon having met in the league just weeks before. City won the league fixture 1-0 at Carrow Road courtesy of a poacher's finish from Chris Martin, but with the Robins perched just three points and three places below City in the league McDonald is aware of their ability.

"They are a decent team, they're up there with us, not far behind us in the league. It is going to be a tough game but we'll go into the game like we do any other, with confidence and hopefully we can get a good result," McDonald told First News.

Having scored within four minutes of coming on as a substitute against Gillingham in the second round, McDonald is hoping his recent cameo sub appearances have done enough to earn him a start.

"Hopefully. Obviously you'll have to ask the manager that one, but whether I get the chance to start or come on as a sub, I'll just do the same as I have been doing and that is contributing. Everyone wants to start, that is why everyone is here, but the competition is good up front and whoever he picks I'm going to respect that.

"When I have been coming on I have been happy with what I've been doing. The manager has been praising me, telling me I have been doing well and that is always good when you are getting the backing of the manager, so I'll just keep doing what I am doing and be pushing for a starting place."

The former Dartford striker has turned provider in his previous two games, unselfishly laying on goals for Grant Holt and Chris Martin against Stockport County and Paulton Rovers respectively.

"It doesn't really matter who is scoring the goals as long as we are winning. People have said to me that maybe I should have shot, but if one of my team-mates is in a better position then I am going to pass it, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that."

A year ago McDonald was playing part-time non-league football and working as a scaffolder on the London Underground, but he is taking nothing for granted and looking to improve his game all the time.

"Paul (Lambert) and Ian Culverhouse have brought new things into the Club, I'm learning more each day we train and every game that we play, so I'm still learning and hopefully that can continue."

Listen to full match coverage of tonight's JPT area quarter-final on Canaries Player.