Ashley Grimes now on Saddlers goal trail

The former Bury forward finally ended a drought which has lasted almost two years by smashing home from close range to earn a League One point against the manager less Gills. And with the monkey off his back, Grimes is now hoping for an extended run in the team as he looks to fire the Saddlers into the play-off zone.

"The season starts for me now and I have to kick-on," Grimes said. "I was made up to score because it has been a long time coming. To get that first one is a massive, massive relief and in the past when I have scored I've usually gone on a run.

"I do need a run of games but I'm delighted I've been able to repay the faith shown in me by the gaffer. He has been great with me.

"I keep telling him I believe in myself and he tells me he believes in me. But I never lost belief. I always knew that goal would come because as soon as you lose believe in yourself you struggle."

Despite initially starting the season well, Grimes feels his performances since joining the Saddlers have not been good enough.

"I'm a striker who has always scored goals so I'm fully aware the last 18 months haven't been good enough."

"It can get on top of you if you let it and some times are more difficult than others.

"I started the season quite well performance wise and if I'd chipped in with a couple of goals then things could have been very different.

"But now I need to take my chance. It's alright me talking but I need to go out and produce."

The draw against Gillingham left the Saddlers five points off the play-offs and with a first trip to Wembley around the corner, Grimes knows the time couldn't be better to go on a scoring run.

"We are a positive group and are looking up the table," the striker said.

"We dropped two points against Gillingham but we are all really focused on the league.

"We have done great to get to Wembley but there is 10 games to go until then. With 30 points available that ha to be our focus at the minute."