No one was more pleased to score on Sunday than Malcolm Christie, whose fierce shot helped seal Leeds United’s 3-1 win at Stockport.

The goal came as a relief to all Leeds players, staff and fans because it made sure Stockport couldn’t grab a late equaliser.

But for Christie it was the end of a nightmare that has lasted almost two years.

Because of an injury that ended his stay at Middles-brough and the time it has taken to get himself back into contention, this was the first goal Christie had scored since January 27, 2007.

And he admits that he never expected it to go in, fearing it would probably hit the post and rebound.

“After all that’s gone on, you think it won’t go in,” Christie said. “But when it hit the net there was only one place I was going – to the Leeds fans, who have been fantastic.

“I can’t thank them and the people connected with the club enough for helping me get back out there. Just to make it to the bench was a big thing, to come on and score was just fantastic.”

The win meant new manager Simon Grayson has picked up four points in his first two games in charge and Christie said: “We have to string together a run of results now.

“It’s back to basics at the moment because it’s all about results but hopefully this is the start of a push up the table.”