After a lengthy lay-off I was back in action on Saturday and back on the scoresheet.

It took just six minutes for me to hit the goal trail during our FA Cup tie at Preston.

However, it wasn?t until the day before that I knew I would actually be playing.

We all had to take our gear with us on the Friday because the manager, Steve Coppell, had not finalised the squad and we were staying overnight at a hotel. At that time I did not know whether or not I would be in the squad as I was unaware that two of our players, strikers Dave Kitson and Lloyd Owusu, were Cup tied and that our other striker Nicky Forster was injured.

I thought, because I had been out injured and had only had four training sessions under my belt, I might not be involved. However, when I got in some of the players told me the situation. I then knew I would make the trip but wasn?t sure of my role until we worked on the game plan.

So you could imagine my surprise when I was told not only would I be travelling north, but I would be starting. I was happy at the news because I thought ?that?s the best way for me to get back into the swing of things?, straight in, without time to think about it.

I wanted to give as strong a performance as I could, bearing in mind the time I had been out. I wasn?t thinking I had to score, just play a good 60 minutes and be happy with that.

Actually, I remember when that time came looking across at the bench expecting my number to be up and there he was signalling for the other striker to come off!

Anyway, as it turned out I scored and we ended up drawing 3-3.

The goal came from a free-kick from Scott Murray. It was a great ball in, the sort that that is hit in with pace and you only have to get the slightest touch. I redirected it towards goal and was pleased to see it go in. I thought I am having that and perhaps we can go on now and win the tie.

Sadly, it wasn?t to be, the game ending up being a somewhat bizarre affair. Of the six goals scored, Preston scored five of them ? the other two of ours being own goals ? and it was all over by half-time.

Obviously, we could have done without the replay. The League is our priority and we did not really want an extra game. But that?s the case and we have to deal with it and try to get through to the next round.

From a personal point of view, the match was a big success ? I got back to what I do best and I came through unscathed. The only thing I felt was a bit fatigued.

Our next game is against Ipswich on Saturday. Hopefully I did enough to prove I warrant my place in the side ? now it?s just a case of keeping it.