DEANE Smalley’s strike at Aldershot on Tuesday night was exactly what the doctor ordered.

And while the striker himself will understandably have wanted the goal more than anyone else, the reaction of his Oxford United teammates, the bench, the press box and the U’s supporters showed that everyone was just so pleased that he had finally got off the mark.

Confidence is a huge factor for any player, and as a striker, when you haven’t yet scored for your new club and seen some good chances go begging, it has to play on your mind.

But credit Smalley for not only getting his head down and keeping working hard, but also for the way that the goal came about.

A great run, terrific piece of skill and then a top-drawer finish was the perfect way to break his duck.

“I would have taken a tap-in from two yards, but it was a decent goal,” he said.

“It’s been so frustrating for me not to get off the mark, but the gaffer gave me the chance and thankfully I got the goal.

“I saw the defender coming and just managed to cut inside him and was just really pleased to see my shot fly in.”

Smalley admitted that a dry spell does obviously have an impact on a striker, but says it’s a case of trying to put it aside during the game.

“You try and get things like that to the back of your mind, but to go that many games into the season without scoring is frustrating and it is hard,” he said.

“But it’s great to get off the mark and hopefully I can now score a lot more.”

Smalley and boss Chris Wilder both remarked on the reaction of the other players after the goal.

United’s manager said: “First impressions are big when people join new football clubs, but it was clear to everyone that Deane was a very good player.

“It’s always a big thing for me, the camaraderie of the players, and I think that showed on Tuesday.

“They were running from left back, right wing, all over the pitch to join in because they knew that he was feeling it a bit and they knew what a big moment that was for him.”

And Smalley agreed, saying: “We have got a fantastic dressing room and even if I hadn’t have scored until the last game of the season, I know that they would have all celebrated with me because that’s the type of dressing room we have here.”

Beating Aldershot also showed that United’s squad is in good shape, with several fringe players getting the chance to impress, and taking the opportunity.

Wayne Brown showed great hands in goal, especially in the last few minutes when Aldershot pumped several deep crosses into the box, Andy Whing was solid in central defence, while Josh Payne and Asa Hall produced good performances in midfield.

“It was a massive game for the likes of me, Asa and Josh who have not been in the team,” Smalley said.

“It didn’t quite happen first half for us, to be honest.

“The gaffer has given us a rollicking at half-time and in the second half we got the ball down and played some great stuff and got the goals.”

l THE draw for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Section quarter-finals takes place tomorrow on Soccer AM.

The seven teams that could be drawn against Oxford are: AFC Wimbledon, Barnet, Bournemouth, Brentford Cheltenham, Southend and Swindon.