HECTOR Sam admitted that his long-awaited first goal for Walsall came as "a relief".
The summer recruit finally found the net on his ninth start for the club, intelligently staying onside before taking Mark Wright's pass in his stride and burying a low finish.
The strike triggered the warmest of receptions from the Saddlers' fans, who have appreciated Sam's work ethic and input even though that goal remained elusive.
And the Trinidad & Tobago international hopes that he's now found the scoring habit.
"I'm happy to get the first goal out of the way," he said. "It was a relief.
"I had gone 10 games without a goal and now the pressure is off a bit.
"As a striker you need that first goal. Now it's come hopefully a hatful will follow, starting against Bolton in the cup tomorrow.
"I have been playing well and that's why the fans are appreciative. The gaffer said to me before the game 'just keep your head up and keep going and you'll get a goal'.
"It was a great pass from Mark. He took the defender with him and weighted the pass perfectly and when the ball came to me I just thought 'hit the target and you'll score'."
Saddlers boss Richard Money was delighted that Sam had broken his duck.
"You could tell what a popular strike it was," said Money. "It was the biggest cheer at the ground so far this season."