Hero Paul Parry set Shrewsbury Town goals target

Parry struck a spectacular fourth-minute winner against Preston, the club where he spent three years before moving to the Greenhous Meadow last month, to give Town their first victory at League One level for more than 15 years.

And the Welshman admitted he had scored few better goals than the 20-yard half-volley which flew past Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann after the visitors had partially cleared a Mark Wright free-kick.

• See more pictures from Town's win over Preston here

"It was a sweet strike and as soon as it left my foot I knew it was going in," said the 32-year-old.

"I picked my head up and saw it fly in the top corner so I was more than happy with that.

"I haven't scored one like that for a few years but hopefully I can chip in with a few goals this season and if I get a few more like I that will be happy!"

Parry was delighted with the result on a night when six Town players made their full home debuts.

"It was a brilliant three points for the lads, and a hard-fought win," added the former Hereford and Cardiff man. "On a personal note, it's nice to get the win against my old club.

"I had a good reception off the Preston fans so I tried not to celebrate the goal too much but I did enjoy it."

Turner hailed Parry's strike and believes the winger can set his sights on regularly finding the net this term.

"Paul's a great striker of the ball and you won't see many better struck balls than that – it was a fantastic finish," said the Town chief.

"He should be going into double figures with goals. That's not an off-the-cuff remark.

"He's got the capabilities of scoring goals. He has got the capabilities of playing up front if we need him there but he has settled in on the right hand side.

"He put in a string of crosses at Sheffield United and last night the goal was the vital part of his play."

Turner was thrilled to notch the opening victory of the season and recognised the hard work put in to secure the clean sheet.

"You look through their squad of players and they are fit, strong and can be direct and they are a team that can wear you down if you're not careful," he added."

"It's pleasing for the team as a whole to get the clean sheet, but particularly for the two centre-halves and the goalkeeper (Darren Jones, Michael Hector and Chris Weale) and I think those three epitomised the side.

"You need to get points on the board as soon as possible to take the pressure off and that's just what we've done.

"We've got to be delighted with the overall work that the players put in."