KEVIN SMITH was in jubilant mood after scoring his first senior goal, writes RICHARD WILLIAMS.

Smith, whose loan deal from Sunderland has been extended into a second month, found the net for the first time at senior level in Wrexham’s 2-0 FA Cup victory at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

And the 19-year-old, who had no hesitation in extending his temporary stay at The Racecourse, hopes to be a regular on the scoresheet.

“That’s my first career goal so there is no better feeling in the world,” said Smith today. “I came close to scoring a couple of times in the previous game against Lincoln. One shot was just tipped over the bar by the keeper, and he also saved a header, so it was good to get on the scoresheet against Scunthorpe.

“Getting my first goal means a lot to me, and to all the people who have put a lot of time into my training. It’s good to get off the mark, I’m delighted and fingers crossed, hopefully that is the first of many goals.

“I am loving it at Wrexham. The gaffer has asked me to stay for a second month and I’m more than willing to do that.”

Smith admitted it was excellent all-round performance that saw off Scunthorpe and said the emphasis was on hard work: “Scunthorpe are a top team, second in League One, so it shows just how far we have come in the last two or three games,” he said.

“I thought the back four were different class, the four in midfield did well and Chris Llewellyn worked hard. The whole team was different class.

“We got told to make sure the Scunthorpe goalkeeper never put the ball on the floor so we made sure he was kicking out of his hands.”

Smith’s goal came after Mark Jones had opened the scoring with a stunning 30-yard drive just four minutes into the second half.

Well known for his spectacular goals, Jones described his spectacular finish: “Two Scunthorpe players got mixed up between themselves from the keeper's throw. I just took a touch, kept my head down and tried my best to hit the target,” said Jones today. “I hit it nicely and it went in the corner of the net.

“As a team I thought we were outstanding and we deserved to win. Our strikers are coming back from injury now so we can look ahead now and look for promotion this season.”

And manager Denis Smith said Jones’ goal was worthy of sealing the Reds’ place in the third round: “That is a great goal to win a cup game. It was a superb strike with his left foot as well. Mark does strike them well with both feet, but that was not his natural foot,” said Smith.

“I have been saying for the last two or three weeks Mark is coming back on form and I delighted for him.”