Tom Eaves got back on the goal trail at Sunderland and is hoping to hunt down the best in League 1.

He’s aiming to finish the season as the division’s most potent striker, which means outscoring the likes of John Marquis, Kieffer Moore and the current leading scorer, James Collins.

Eaves was top of the pile earlier this season and his 16th league goal of the campaign came on Tuesday night in the 4-2 loss at Sunderland.

“My aim is to be the top goalscorer in the league,” Eaves said. “The closer I can get to it the better and it means I am helping the team out as well.

“It is important to have personal goals, as long as they align with what the team are doing.”

Collins, who plays for league leaders Luton, has scored 19 in the league, three more than Eaves.

But Tuesday night’s goal ended what was a bit of a drought for the Gills man. The 27-year-old hadn’t scored an open-play goal since mid-December in the 2-2 draw with Wycombe.

Since then, in his last nine outings, his only goal was from the penalty spot against Coventry.

It wasn’t something that Eaves was too concerned with, however.

“I know I have been doing everything I could,” he said. “It would have been a different story had I been missing one-on-ones or really blatant chances, but I haven’t.

“I had a header at Cardiff and a few chances at Southend and then I went through on goal last weekend but the keepers have made a few good saves.

“I have got to keep myself balanced because if I start to go too high or too low (mentally) it is not really a good place to be as a striker.

“I will take the criticism and what I need to take from it and move forward.”

Despite the goal at Sunderland, the Gills left without a point – a harsh result as far as Eaves is concerned.

“It is disappointing,” he said. “I think we were terrific, especially first half.

“The penalties were dubious for me, but obviously I am going to say that and the second penalty did kill the game off a bit. Overall I think personally we should be pleased and we can hold our heads up high.”

Sunderland were rumoured to be interested in Eaves on transfer deadline day and the striker acknowledged they were a level above.

He said: “You don’t like to make excuses, but they are a good side.

“They are where they are for a reason, they have got good players. Aiden McGeady showed his quality, he’s such a creative player.

“It is a frustrating one but we have to be pleased with the performance and it was just disappointing about the result. We will go back and watch the videos of what we can do better with our set-plays and work on them.”

Liverpudlian Eaves had some of his family among the 300-odd Gills fans at the game and he was happy to have been able to score in front of them.

“The support was fantastic,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe how many people had come to support us, credit to those that went.

“It was a special celebration knowing my family were there and they could celebrate with the Gills fans. It was just a shame we couldn’t get them a win, I really felt we could.”