Shaun Goater made a dream start to life in Southend, coming off the bench on Saturday to bag a last-minute equaliser ? the 250th goal of his career.

The veteran striker, who only resumed full training this week after suffering a pre-season calf injury, rose in the 89th minute to head home his first league goal in 16 months and tie the scores up at 2-2 against Walsall, Bermuda national coach Kyle Lightbourne?s former club.

Goater, who had missed the Shrimpers? opening two games in League One, was introduced by boss Steve Tilson in the 74th minute in place of Carl Pettefer to try and force an equaliser.

The Goat, who has made goals from the bench his trademark during his illustrious career, didn?t let his new side down, rising at the far post to head home a Kevin Maher cross and give his side a share of the points.

?Three points would have been the only thing to have made the day better,? said Goater, who has scored his 250 goals in 521 starts for Notts County, Reading, Coventry, Rotherham, Bristol City and Manchester City, where he still holds legendary status.

?It was a great ball into the box and I?ve managed to get between the two defenders and thankfully it went in. Balls like that strikers love because it gives us something to go for and I can only praise the delivery.?

Goater who confirmed his calf is now fine, is continuing to work on his fitness and the 35-year-old hitman is hoping that the Southend strikers can bring out the best in each other.

?Competition is always good for the gaffer, we have quality players up front and we will continue to push each other,? he said.

Goater was on the verge of retirement after a miserable two-year stint at Reading, where he scored just 15 goals after consistently being left out of the side by boss Steve Coppell. They finally bought him out of the final year of his contract and the veteran striker was cajoled into playing just one more year by Southend boss Tilson, who desperately courted The Goat for weeks.

The last-minute header was Goater?s first goal since scoring on August 25 for the Royals against Oxford United in the opening round of the League Cup and his first league goal since April 24 last year, when he scored the winner against Millwall.

On Saturday, Paul Merson?s Saddlers went behind to a Wayne Gray goal in front of 5,569 fans at the Bescot Stadium but took the lead through strikes from Matty Fryatt and Jorge Leitao.

After Goater?s intervention, Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan pulled off a tremendous save in the dying seconds of the game to save the point.

Khano Smith, meanwhile, played just eight minutes of the New England Revolution?s 2-1 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday night which extended their lead atop the Eastern Conference. The former Dandy Town striker was booked in the final minute for time-wasting.