GIVEN he’d just scored two goals on debut to help his new side to three crucial League One points, Michael Smith cut a very modest figure post-match on Saturday.

The striker, signed from Charlton for an initial £100,000, opened the scoring against Shrewsbury Town with a tidy finish on the half-hour and rounded off the win with a clinical shot underneath the body of visiting keeper Chris Weale in stoppage time as Swindon Town claimed a fortunate 3-1 victory.

Instead of boasting about what was pretty much the perfect debut performance in front of the press, however, Smith said he was “relieved to have got the debut out of the way”.

“I think the weather played a massive part in it but I was just glad to get my debut out the way and score two goals.

“That was horrible to play in, it was bad,” he said.

“I’m so relieved to get one on my debut, let alone two. As a striker it’s always nice.

“Every striker’s got a selfish streak and it’s always nice to get off the mark.

“The lads got three points as well and it’s good to play a part in that as well.”

Smith felt that the scoreline flattered Town, who were well below their fluent best and owed the win to a superb performance by goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and a super sub cameo from enigmatic frontman Nile Ranger.

“I think 3-1 flattered us in a way, I think a few of the boys would have taken 1-1 but Nile’s come off the bench and scored one and made one himself. He’s changed the game when he’s come on,” said Smith.

“The manager came in at the end and said today wasn’t as good as he knows we can play but Tuesday will be a big test and everyone is looking forward to it.

“I’ve got the debut and the first goal out of the way and now I can kick on from there.”