NEIL Lennon has backed Gary Madine get his Wanderers career up and running after finally getting off the mark.

The Whites striker netted on his eighth start for the club in Saturday’s thrilling 2-2 draw against Brighton.

And taking into consideration his loan spell at Blackpool last season, the wait for a goal in a competitive game had actually stretched to just over 20 hours of solid football.

But Lennon is confident that, having eased the pressure with a crucial header against Albion, Madine can go on to bigger things with Wanderers.

“For the most part Gary has played very well for us, so we were not concerned in terms of his overall contribution,” he told The Bolton News.

“But of course you get judged on goals as a striker and to get one hopefully gives him the confidence to get up and running.

“He has got goals in him and he’s definitely an aerial threat. That was a terrific header and he’s good with the ball at his feet too – he led the line very, very well against Brighton.

“He’ll want to push on now and get more.”

Lennon also picked out Wanderers’ first goalscorer on Saturday, Neil Danns, for praise saying the midfielder’s form has picked up well in recent weeks.

“He’s been playing very, very well,” said the Whites boss.

“It was a brilliant goal to get us back in the game but not only that, it was the way he won the tackle on the edge of their box in the first place. It’s what he’s all about.

“I brought him off towards the end because I thought Jay (Spearing) might bring that little bit of something else with his passing and play through the lines.

“But in terms of energy and getting the ball back for us, he’s been one of our best players.”

Danns had not scored since October last year in a 3-1 win against Brentford, not long after Lennon’s arrival as manager.

And the Liverpudlian’s eagerness to shoot from outside the penalty box is something else his manager hopes will rub off on his team.

“We don’t get many goals that way and Dannsy is one of them who will take a shot on from that range,” he said.

“I do think it’s something we should look to do more often if we get into the right areas.”