Deadline day signing happy to be off the mark with Town
New Shrewsbury Town signing Tyrone Barnett capped a dream debut with a late equaliser against Southend United and declared "it's just what I needed."Barnett came off the bench to rescue a point against one of Town's promotion rivals with a fine finish on his 1st appearance for the club since signing late on Monday evening.
The former Peterborough and Crawley striker is now hoping he's done enough to convince manager Micky Mellon he's worthy of a place in the starting XI at Carlisle United on Tuesday.
"I couldn't have asked for anything better, other than getting 3 points," said Barnett, who had a productive loan spell at Oxford United earlier this season.
"Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro has done really well by closing the 'keeper down, I saw him off his line and thought I'd lift it over the defender and it's gone in. Happy days."
The result meant Town lost top-spot in the league, slipping to 3rd but a draw did maintain their unbeaten league run at Greenhous Meadow this season.
For Barnett, he admits it was a perfect confidence booster.
"It was an important goal as it got us back in the game," he said. "For me, it's about getting match fitness and playing regularly, that's the aim, as well as scoring as many goals as possible."
He felt Shrewsbury were worthy of a draw in a keenly contested affair which saw Southend take the lead through Jack Payne early in the second half with Barnett's equaliser coming 5 minutes from time.
"We dominated in periods," said the striker. "I thought we were unlucky to go a goal down but in the end, a draw as a fair result.
We wanted to keep the unbeaten league run going at home so it was a good result."
Barnett has now targeted a place in the team for Town's trip to 18th place Carlisle.
"The manager hasn't brought me here to sit on the bench," he said. "He wants me to compete for a place up front so hopefully I'll be in contention.
"I'm over the moon to be at Shrewsbury, I can't thank the gaffer enough. I'm buzzing to have this opportunity and come to a team who are near to the top of the league. I'm really excited. If all the strikers are firing it's only good for the team and club."