GORNAL Athletic have signed controversial striker Josh McKenzie from Bromsgrove Sporting.

Boss Andy Wyton believes McKenzie will give The Peacocks the firepower to help their promotion push from the West Midlands Premier League.

The powerful forward was banned from all football for three years after striking a referee when playing for Redditch United in 2011.

He has now moved to Garden Walk after starting the season with Sporting after serving his ban.

Wyton said: "Signing Josh McKenzie is brilliant for Gornal. He offers us a lot of options and will cause really problems at this level.

"He is strong, quick and finishes well and gives us the option of going longer if we need to."

McKenzie got his Gornal career off to a flying start as he came off the bench to score the winner against rivals Dudley Town on Monday.

Athletic bounced back from last Saturday's home defeat to Haughmond by beating Dudley.

They had to come from behind after Alex Byatt netted for the Robins to give them a half time lead.

Second half strikes from Ross Love and McKenzie gave Gornal a much-needed victory to propel them up to fifth place in the table.

"It was an important win for us," added Wyton. "We deserved to beat Haughmond bhut couldn't get the goals needed.

"We need to start performing to the higher standard I know we are capable of."

Gornal will now travel to take on Pegasus Juniors this Saturday before taking on Bridgnorth the following Tuesday.