EVERYONE connected with Town was delighted and relieved for Junior Mendes to finally open his goal account for the club.

The former Mansfield striker is one of the most affable characters you are ever likely to meet and he has settled in superbly at the Galpharm Stadium.

For evidence just note the way he was swamped by delighted teammates after scoring his penalty (at the second attempt!) in Tuesday's 3-0 LDV Vans Trophy first round win against Morecambe.

The 28-year-old had appeared only three times as a substitute in seven matches before earning that recall - one of six changes to the starting line-up which drew 3-3 against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

He lost his place after failing to notch in four starts at the beginning of the season - he didn't find the net in pre-season or the Reserves either - and was starting to wonder if his luck would ever change.

It did on Tuesday night and his colleagues - while taking the mickey about his first penalty miss, of course! - knew what the goal meant to the talented Londoner.

It was his first strike since netting for Mansfield in their play-off semi-final at Northampton on May 16 - over four months ago - and he was honest about his feelings.

"It was good to just remember what it felt like scoring. I'd forgotten the thrill it gives you," said Mendes, who played alongside full debutant Akpo Sodje against Jim Harvey's Conference battlers.

"My goal for Mansfield in the play-off semi-final was a long while ago and, with the summer break and pre-season, it seems even further back than it was.

"So it felt really nice to score, even though it was from a twice taken penalty.

"The lads have been having a bit of a laugh about it, as you would expect, but it was the right decision by the referee. Quite often people encroach and keepers move but they don't get pulled up for it.

"Thankfully, this time they did and I was able to go for my normal corner with the second penalty."

Mendes had to hold off strong competition from Lee Fowler to take the spot-kick.

"Lee said he was only messing about, but I was glad to get a second chance and to put it away," added Mendes.

Now, with a goal under his belt in Town colours, the graduate of Chelsea and Scottish football is looking only to a brighter future and to rewarding manager Peter Jackson for bringing him to the club.

"I'd been thinking about the fact I hadn't scored, but sometimes you try a little bit too hard," he said.

"Sometimes it can take a bit longer than you think to bed in alongside new teammate at first-team level, although I've been quite happy with my performances.

"I think I just needed a bit of luck. I didn't get it at Sheffield Wednesday when I hit a post in the opening couple of minutes, but I did get it on Tuesday night and I'm grateful for that."

So, having played wide and up front, what would be his ideal position in the starting line-up?

"Playing the system we do means my first-team chances are more limited, especially with Pawel Abbott doing so well and Andy Booth being a different type of player to myself," he explained.

"In a 4-4-2 I can easily slot in as a winger and, when I was at Chelsea, I played quite a lot of matches in the `hole', like in a Danny Schofield type of role.

"You need great fitness and skill levels, but I can play in that position if needs be.

"To be honest, I would play in goal if it meant I was in the starting line-up and if I'm on the pitch, I'll be giving 100%.

"The important thing is that we get up the League as a club and pick up as many points as we can. If I can help the team do that in any way - and I hope it's by scoring a lot more goals - then great."

Mendes accepts he's had a great deal of support in his early months as a Town player and he intends to reward management and fans alike.

"Peter Jackson and Terry Yorath have never stopped encouraging me and they are a really good management team," he said. "Martyn Booty has also kept having a word and support like that helps keep your spirits up when things are getting a bit frustrating.

"Even when I missed the first penalty the other night they were wanting me to take it a second time, and that sort of backing means a lot. The fans have also been great to me and it makes life a lot easier when you know they are behind you."