Goodman's 'best moment'

Byfield (l) and Goodman celebrate Walsall's win

Veteran striker Don Goodman described Walsall's win in the Second Division Play-Off final as the finest moment of his career.

Goodman, 35, scored Walsall's first goal in their thrilling 3-2 win over Reading at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and was man-of-the-match.

Yet before arriving at Walsall on a free transfer from Motherwell in March, he had considered giving up the game.

After the match that sealed Walsall's return to Division One, Goodman said: "To come here, to this wonderful stadium, and actually win is amazing.

To get the goal was just the best feeling - the best moment of my career so far

Darren Byfield

"This is the best moment of my career - at 35-years-old. The contrast with Motherwell, where I had nothing to play for really, is immense."

Saddlers boss Ray Graydon said his first thoughts were with his Reading counterpart Alan Pardew at the final whistle.

"I knew that somebody was going to be massively disappointed," he admitted.

"I had my arms around Alan at the final whistle. It was such a heartbreaking moment for him."

Pardew's pain

Pardew admitted he was disappointed for the fans that he could not exorcise the ghost of five years ago, when they were beaten in the play-offs by Bolton.

"I'm disappointed for the fans who have been fantastic," he said.

"They now have to go home with the memories of the last play-offs and now this."

"This is a huge blow to us as we have worked hard this season and I thought we could have done it."

"It was obviously not meant to be for us this season and that is a huge disappointment," he added.

Meanwhile, Walsall fans have plenty to smile about.

Darren Byfield, who came on as a substitute and scored Walsall's winning goal 11 minutes from the end of extra-time, said: "To come on and get the winner was so important for me and for our fans.

"To get the goal was just the best feeling - the best moment of my career so far."

Byfield signed for Walsall from Aston Villa last summer, but has not been a regular in the Saddlers first-team.

He said: "I started the season well, but towards the middle of it I didn't."

"This is the most important goal of my career."