Max Melbourne eyes more goals after netting on Walsall debut

The 22-year-old came straight into the team at left-back, since signing on transfer deadline day, and got on the end of a Tyreik Wright free-kick to give the Saddlers a 1-0 lead over Mansfield on Tuesday night.

Melbourne enjoyed an impressive debut for his new club and although Walsall had to settle for a draw, the Lincoln loanee was pleased with his display.

“I think it was a positive debut for myself,” Melbourne said. “It’s a position I am more than capable of playing.

“I haven’t had the minutes I’ve wanted this season so it was nice to get back out there and get 90 minutes under my belt.

“Hopefully, now I can kick on an improve every game.

“On a personal note, it was great to get a goal.

“I scored a couple of years ago so it was good to get another one – hopefully, there will be many more to come.

“To be honest, I’ve not gone forward too often at set-pieces, I’ve always been the guy that has to stay back.

“So when I was given the role to get into the box my eyes lit up.

“Tyreik has put in a great ball and I would have been really disappointed to miss.

“But I was disappointed we didn’t come away with all three points.

“I thought we were capable of doing that, it just wasn’t the night.”

Tuesday’s clash kicked off 15 minutes earlier than planned and ended without added time as the freezing temperatures made the pitch a difficult surface to play on.

When asked about the conditions, Melbourne added: “It was very difficult to play in.

“The fact the ground got so hard, it wasn’t easy to string a couple of passes together.

“I fell over towards the end and it felt like hitting concrete.

“The conditions were difficult, we just had to make sure we saw it through and if we weren’t going to win it make sure we didn’t lose it.”