Published: Monday, 1st February, 2010 3:00pm

Long vows to hit goal trail

by Anthony Smith

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SHANE Long vowed to make up for lost time after finally ending a nine-month goal drought in the league.

Royals' 23-year-old striker hit the winner in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Barnsley.

And the man whose extra-time goal at Anfield dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup admitted: "I scored at Liverpool in the cup but it was great to get my first league goal.

"It's been a bit of a tough season for me with injuries and stuff but there are still 19 games left and hopefully there are plenty more goals to come.

"We needed the win. It was the first of three winnable games coming up that we need to get points from. So it's a good start against a tough Barnsley side.

"We kept Barnsley out and I think we needed a performance like that to get some camaraderie going so hopefully we can build on it.

"I was happy with how I played and it's nice to be back to full fitness again and feeling fresh. Hopefully I can kick on from here."

Long's 29th minute strike came from a Gylfi Sigurdsson knock-back after Tykes keeper Luke Steele flapped at Andy Griffin's cross.

It also saw Brian McDermott launch his managerial career with a victory following his promotion from caretaker to full-time boss last week.

And no-one was happier for 48-year-old McDermott than Long. "I'm delighted Brian got the job," he beamed. "He's been here a long time and knows the club inside out.

"He's also a friend of mine and I think he deserves his chance. He's a very nice fella and a funny guy. I have a lot of time for him and I'd like to see him do well.

"Hopefully I can score a few more goals and keep him in the job."

And father-to-be Long may be calling on McDermott's babysitting services in the weeks to come.

"I am nervous and there are a few sleepless nights ahead of me," explained Long. "My girlfriend Kayleah is 30 weeks gone and has six to 10 weeks to go, so these are very exciting times.

"It's a little girl. We have about 10 different names, but by the time she comes, we will probably have 10 more.

"But the nursery's all done now so I'll learn some serenades or get Brian round, he'll wake the baby up.

"He plays guitar, he's very good, more of an entertainer. He sings as well."

Long now believes Reading's next two results will be massively significant in their bid to avoid the drop.

The Barnsley victory was their first Championship win since December 5 and they remain in the relegation zone and three points from safety.

However, Long feels all that could change after a trip to Doncaster Rovers this Saturday (5.20pm ko, live Sky Sports) followed by a home game against Plymouth Argyle at Madejski Stadium next Tuesday night (8pm ko).

"Teams above us seem to be picking up points every week so we can't afford to let a gap open up," he argued.

"We have Doncaster away on Saturday then Plymouth at home so if we can get as many points as we can from those games it will be a big help.

"I don't know how many wins we're going to need but we can't look too far ahead. We've got two more winnable games coming up and if we take care of business there I think the table will take care of itself."

READING'S away fixture at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium has been moved back 24 hours and it will now take place on Wednesday, March 24 (7.45pm).