Charlie Barnett insists his first Accrington goal was a shot – and not a cross, despite stick from his team-mates.

The former Tranmere man got the ball on the edge of the area and whipped it in from a tight angle for the third goal against Gillingham – and it tucked into the top of the net.

"I just hit it goalbound to be honest, I don’t get that far forward so, when I do get a chance, I like to have a shot and luckily enough it went in," he said, despite getting heckled in the background that it was really a cross.

His goal came just before half-time to put the Reds 3-2 up after they had trailed 2-1.

"I think we were all a bit shell-shocked as the goals we conceded were pretty poor but it was a good job we scored at that time so we came in winning at half-time.

"I think Saturday showed we have got a good spirit. We scored early and they came back into the game and we picked ourselves up and got the job done again.

"I think we were all down from losing a two-goal lead at Stockport on Tuesday to draw and it was important to bounce back."

He admitted it was a crazy game to play in as the goals were flying in with, it seemed, almost every attack: "I may have been involved in a game like that at Under 10 level or something or a school game but definitely not in the league. Never.

"It was a bit confusing and when they had the penalty I was thinking is it three our four? It was obviously four but we scored again to give us some breathing space."

Barnett is enjoying a new lease of life at Accrington in his holding midfield role.

"Last season at Tranmere was a killer for me if I am being honest as I didn’t play. I did play the season before so for me, it was just key to get match fitness again and the more games I play the more I will improve.

"When I played for Liverpool, I played centre midfield in my younger days and at Tranmere, I played on the left.

"Getting that experience at Tranmere, helped me come here and understand the role I am playing and I am enjoying it, especially when I’m playing good football.

"The squad is pretty strong, we have some talent in the team and everyone needs to be at their best to stay in the team."

And he praised John Coleman and Jimmy Bell and the spirit they have created at the Crown Ground.

"I think John and Jimmy are great at the man-management side of the game, they know when you need an arm around your shoulder and when they need to get into you. I think that’s important.

"Anyone who gives you a chance, you want to do well. They are desperate to win every game and it rubs off on you.

"I settled in easily as I played with a lot of the lads when I was younger in the Liverpool youth team so it’s been easy for me to bond with the team and get playing football.

"There is no cliques. We have a good balance and it’s a nice mix.

"We are a gang of lads who work hard and want to do well for each other."