Chris Lines is hoping his rich vein of scoring form can help to propel his goals tally into double figures for the first time in his career.

The Bristol Rovers' midfielder netted for the fourth league game in a row when he headed home his sixth goal of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat at Charlton.

"This is already my best season in terms of scoring goals. Last season I ended up with four – but that was from something like 45 or 46 games," said Lines, whose tally has come from 21 league and cup appearances so far this term.

"Now my aim is to try and get into double figures this season, and I think I could make it if I can keep going like I am at the moment."

Rovers have been looking for a goalscoring midfielder to step up to the plate since Craig Disley left the club for Shrewsbury over the summer, and Lines has been delighted to oblige.

"It's probably down to the fact that I'm getting forward more," said Lines. "If you get in the box, you are always going to have a chance of getting on the end of something.

"I quite like shooting from outside the box as well, but if you are right in there then there's the opportunity to pick up a few more goal.

"It's just good to be getting on the scoresheet, and nice that I'm getting a few from close range or with tap-ins. They all help.

"Every side needs midfielders helping out when it comes to scoring. Jeff Hughes has chipped in as well with seven so far, although he is taking the penalties.

"But if you are getting goals from other areas, then it helps the strikers out."

Lines' recent record has earned him the tag of "goal machine" – a label applied to defender Aaron Lescott after he ended a four-year drought last season and then started to find the net on a fairly regular basis.

"Nobody's called me that since I was playing junior football for St Vallier when I was about 12 and scoring five goals a game – those days are long gone," said Lines.

Rovers had youngster Ben Swallow on target as they lost 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors reserve team friendly at Reading yesterday.

There were echoes of the first-team game at Charlton when Darren Patterson's side conceded two goals early on in the match.

But Swallow fired home a 20-yard free kick after 15 minutes against a strong Royals outfit.

Keeper Rhys Evans made some fine stops to keep the home side out after the break. Rovers included six players who had been on the bench at The Valley – Evans, Swallow, Steve Elliott, Mark Wright, Charlie Reece and Charlie Clough.

The Pirates have no game this weekend and return to action when they face Exeter City at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.