A modest Scott Hogan thought he deserved his first goal for Brentford after his headed equaliser rescued a point for the Bees against Bristol City.
The striker has suffered two anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the past year, the first coming on August 30 2014 against Rotherham and the second in spring 2015.
And his strike was certainly popular with the home fans, who were delighted to see him open his account, especially after missing a penalty minutes earlier.
Hogan said: “It's not so much for myself but more for the fans. I signed last shortly after Andre (Gray) and sat down with the manager then and remember expecting massive things at this club and it turned out so and I wasn't part of it.
“Maybe the fans forgot I was still here. It's been a long journey and I'm just pleased with the way it happened and people stuck by me.
“I'll never sing my own praises or really boast but I think I deserve that, I just might deserve that.”
Hogan was applauded by his team-mates after the game as they knew the hardships he had endured over the past 18 months and his goal was celebrated as if it was a late winner.
He added: “I didn't know what I was doing. The feeling of relief is the biggest I've ever felt in my life when that goal went in.
“I turned around and didn't know what to do. One of the nicest feelings was to look around and see everyone running over happy for me and more happy than I was. I'm feeling relieved and they're over the moon.”
The 24-year-old added: “It's got to have been one of the better draws I've been involved in with the feeling after the game.
“Everyone's pleased and we definitely should have won the game. With my penalty, I believe it was a very good save and if I was to take it again I don't think I could put it in the corner anymore.
“If I had the chance to take that penalty again, I'm running over. The best players in the world miss them. It was a real nice atmosphere in the changing room after and we're doing well at the minute.”
Hogan remains grateful to the support he has received from the medical team, as well as his girlfriend Charlotte.
And the Salford-born striker admitted that he had not been the best of company during his long stint on the sideline.
He explained: “It's been hard work off the pitch. My girlfriend Charlotte stuck by me. I've been horrible to deal with and she's done really well.
“She's been a big part of it. The medical team got me back to where I was and then it was back to the football side of things.”
Hogan doesn't want to be treated with kid-gloves by the supporters and expects them to demand goals as much as he does.
He said: “My message to the fans would be to expect more from me and demand more. I also owe them a big thank you.
“I would be right in saying when I stepped up for the pen everyone was wishing it in. It shows the kind of person I am that I've come back and scored a goal.
“I'll still fight and that's what people want to see. I've probably saved myself a few bad remarks on social media by scoring soon after the penalty.”
