VETERAN striker Jimmy Quinn is the latest man charged with the job of soothing Northwich Vics' goalscoring headache.

The former Reading and Swindon player-manager is 40, but his prolific record which boasts over 250 league goals, has convinced Mark Gardiner to take a chance on him.

Quinn signed yesterday (Tuesday) on a month's trial basis in time to make his debut for Vics against Doncaster Rovers last night.

It was in a green shirt Quinn shot to prominence in the 1980s, leading the Northern Ireland forward line during his days with Blackburn Rovers.

He has won 44 caps and enjoyed a varied club career at Swindon Leicester City, Bradford City, West Ham, Bournemouth and, most recently, Peterborough United.

Gardiner turned to Quinn, a former Swindon team mate, after being struck by an injury crisis in his forward line.

Ian Cooke had an operation on his knee on Saturday, while Adie Mike, bought from Southport in the summer, is set to be out of action for a month with a groin strain.

Signing a proven goalscorer like Quinn is just the boost the Vics faithful need after suffering their heaviest Conference defeat on Saturday.

They let a 1-0 half-time lead slip in the most calamitous fashion, eventually going down 7-1 at Hednesford Town.

Not since the 8-1 defeat by Altrincham in the Northern Premier League in 1969 have Vics been victim to such a landslide of goals.

"We did well in the first half, but there was just a mad 20 minutes when everything they hit went in," said Gardiner. "They had eight shots and scored with seven and that just doesn't happen, so it had better be a one-off.

"For four and a half games we let in two goals then suddenly let in seven, so it doesn't add up. The players have got to be given the opportunity to show that it was a one-off.

"They were obviously devastated as we all were because I've never seen anything like it."

On top of the injury problems, another suspension looms as Steve Davis picked up Vics' second red card of the season at Keys Park.

The defender, who tightened up the Vics back four in the two clean sheets of the previous two games, was sent off in conceding a penalty for the fifth goal on Saturday.

"He won the ball and no-one could believe he got sent off," said Gardiner. "But there's no video evidence so we can't do anything about it."

Gary Burke is also missing from the centre of defence, but should be in line for a return as he recovers from the injury he sustained against Telford, which led to Chris Malkin's sending off.

Following the visit of Doncaster, Vics host Stevenage Borough at the Drill Field on Saturday (3pm).

This is followed by their first Conference trip to Chester City on Tuesday (7.45pm).

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