The Pontefract-born left-back broke his scoring duck for United in front of the cameras at Sixfields, with his long-range effort proving too hot to handle for jittery keeper Frank Fielding in the 41st minute, which put the visitors 3-0 in front.

And having got the goalscoring scent firmly in his nostrils, Parker – handed a licence to roam when the opportunity arises by boss Gary McAllister – is eager for more.

But while he was thrilled by his strike, Parker was just as relieved to see it fly in, as his goalscoring effort spared him a ticking-off from team-mate David Prutton.

The 21-year-old, enjoying his best run in the side under McAllister, said: "It was a special moment for me to get my first-ever senior goal.

"I've had a few near-misses earlier in my career, but can't really remember hitting one from 35 yards out before. Maybe it was a bit too powerful to keep hold of.

"As a left-back, you take any goal you can get. To be honest, I didn't really know what I was doing!

"I think when I got the ball at my feet, Prutts was screaming at me to pass. And if it didn't go in, I'd have probably got a rollicking..."

He added: "The gaffer has been urging me to go forward when I can. I think you can see in our recent performances, that me and Frazer (Richardson) have been getting forward quite regularly.

"He (McAllister) does like his full-backs to get involved. And when we are in the last third of the pitch, he's looking for more of an end product.

"Previously, that might not have been the best on my part, but I'm working on it."