p>BLUES winger Mark Gower insists his side are pushing for automatic promotion and hopes his new scoring boots can help narrow the gap on second placed Carlisle United.

Gower won his new footwear after being crowned the fastest player at the club in an exercise organised by Nike.

And, having worn them when scoring a superb solo effort against Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday, Gower is now gunning for more glory.

"When I found out it was a speed test I wasn't even going to bother going in for it to start with," said the 29-year-old.

"But when I realised there was dribbling involved I decided to go for it.

"It was a good laugh to be fair, Simon Francis was winning for a while and then Peter Clarke before I stepped up to the oche with 13.9 seconds to win it.

"The lads couldn't really believe I won but it meant I got the boots and they seem to be doing the trick.

"Hopefully there are more goals to come because it would be great to get to double figures again."

Gower has bagged nine strikes and is even more determined to hit the back of the net as the Shrimpers strive to work their way into the top-two.

A play-off place is now virtually secured but the winger will not rule out the possibility of catching the Cumbrians, despite trailing them by eight points.

"It's a long shot but with the way we're playing at the moment anything is possible," he stressed.

"They have Leeds away at the weekend which is very tough and if we do the business against Northampton then the gap is down to five.

"The next game after that is us against them so you never know what might happen.

"We want to win all the games we have left and the teams who we have left to play won't be looking forward to it because we're flying right now."

The Shrimpers have lost just one of their last 15 matches and Gower has also been in fantastic form.

"It's been an up and down season for me but at the moment I'm pleased with how I'm playing and I've definitely got my confidence back," said Gower.

"I don't know how or why I lost it but it's back now and long may it continue."