Ryan Jarvis meant his wonder-strike

Ryan Jarvis today insisted his Walsall wonder-strike was no fluke and admitted it was one of the goals of his career.

The striker's 30-yard half volley – his third goal in two games – helped the Saddlers to a 2-1 Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round victory over Shrewsbury last night.

Richard Taundry also smashed in a screamer before Andy Butler's own goal made it a nervous second-half for the hosts.

But Jarvis' strike took the headlines and he insisted his work in training is starting to pay off.

He said: "I've been saying to myself 'keep shooting more' and balls these days go everywhere and if you hit them well they can fly in. I've been doing the same in training so I'm glad I've taken that chance.

"It's up there with the best – my goal for Norwich against Liverpool in 2005 wasn't too bad – but it was a pretty good goal, I'm happy with it.

"It went pretty nicely, I just controlled the ball had a little glance and the keeper was in the middle of his area and I just took a whack."

The 25-year-old should have had a brace, after his second-half penalty struck the bar, but admitted he was wary of the Shrews' spies after he scored from the spot at Bournemouth on Saturday.

He said: "I put one to the left against Bournemouth and I thought they might have had a scout there, so I changed it a bit and thought I'd smash it down the middle.

"A few centimetres lower it's a good goal and I'm still actually quite annoyed about it.

"Hopefully it'll put me in a better mood when I watch the goal."