JERMAINE Hylton admitted his first goal in professional football had been a long time coming, but for him it was worth the wait.

Hylton will have scored more beautiful goals in his non-league career, but few that will carry the weight of importance of his match-winning strike against Peterborough.

His scuffed, yet instinctive finish from Jonathan Obika’s cut-back was vital in restoring some belief and momentum to Swindon Town’s run-in towards their almost inevitable play-off finish. It gave the Robins three points and drew a line under the defeats to MK Dons and Bristol City.

Hylton’s goal came at a crucial time. Town had spurned a number of good opportunities and were 20 minutes away from a third consecutive game without notching.

As much as it meant to the team it clearly meant a lot to the player.

“I’ve been waiting for my first senior goal for a while now,” he told the local media.

“I’ve had visions and thoughts of what it would be like. Would it be a screamer from 40 yards? Or beat five players?

“(For the goal) Jon Obika, I’ve seen him, he’s played it back to me, which I didn’t think was going to happen because he could have shot himself, it was just an instant shot and I was lucky enough to see it roll in.

“I wouldn’t even say it was conscious, as soon as the ball came I just reacted and I was happy to see it creep in.

“I thought that was probably one of my lower performances after the goal, but after the goal itself I was rushing around on pure adrenaline.

“I’m just enjoying football at the minute and enjoying the whole experience. When my time comes hopefully I can take it.

“Obika’s a really good guy, all the lads were great when I came, but me and Obika clicked really early and it’s a good story as he sets me up for my first senior goal.”

Hylton has shown glimpses of why Town secured his services in the January transfer window in cameo appearances from the bench.

Although, he admits he is still adapting to life as a professional. He said: “To go from that to not playing a lot of football, even though I understand the jump, it is still difficult going through that initial period.

“When I was playing week-in-week-out I could afford to have a few bad games and know you’re still going to be playing the next game.”