RUSSELL Penn has admitted his first response to scoring the spectacular goal that secured York City's Football League survival was one of relief.

The skipper's 35-yard blockbuster will live long in the memory of City supporters following the 2-1 home victory over Morecambe that moved their team 11 points clear of the relegation zone with three games left to play.

Penn's howitzer was only his second goal for City in 69 appearances and the 29-year-old midfielder admitted he will not be deleting it from his Sky Plus planner.

He said: "I've not scored as many as I wanted this season and, because of the magnitude of the game and the fact that we were on top, I felt a great relief when it went in. It took away some of the pressure around the ground and a lot of the weight off my shoulders because the last couple of months have been intense around the place.

"The gaffer has always pushed me to shoot going back to our Scunthorpe days ten years ago and, since he came here, he has given me a lot of confidence in terms of positional play and other things. I've probably had a thousand shots from outside the box in my career and three or four have flown in, so I will definitely be keeping that one on the Sky planner."

Penn also revealed that he responded to the Bootham Crescent crowd's calls for him to have a crack before unleashing his long-range thunderbolt, adding: "I was feeling confident at the time because we had started the second half well and, while I would usually just play a simple ball from that position, I had that much space and the crowd were pressuring me to shoot.

"Michael Coulson was calling for a pass, which he does all the time, even when they're not on, so that didn't surprise me, but I just decided to hit it and was pleased to see it go in."

The goal has since attracted more than 44,000 views on Facebook and Penn smiled: "It's all gone a bit mad on social media. A lot of people come out of the woodwork when you score, but I understand that."

The former Burton and Cheltenham scrapper's sensational strike is now the leading contender to scoop City's Goal of the Season prize at the end-of-season presentation night on May 5 at York Racecourse.

He also jokingly dismissed his main rival for that accolade, saying: "Wes Fletcher's at Wimbledon might be up there but I'm not sure whether that should count because it was in the FA Cup.

"It was also a volley and everybody knows they're a bit easier, but we'll see. There's been a few good team goals as well and I'm happy to let the people decide."

Penn went on to stress that his goal proved the wisdom of a well-worn adage, regularly espoused by manger Russ Wilcox.

"I think we could shoot more as a team," he reasoned. "Luke Summerfield has shown what can happen.

"A couple of his goals were heading for the corner flag before they got deflections and the gaffer is always saying if you don't shoot, you don't score. Sometimes, as a midfielder, that can be hard because it's so crowded and difficult to get a shot off, but there was so much space for me on Tuesday night."

While City's centre backs have all sung the praises of the 3-5-2 formation that has helped the team go six games unbeaten, Penn has also welcomed the extra man in midfield that system provides.

"We play a lot of teams who have three in the middle and, whilst I know you have to play a two at times, it can be tough because players are that fit, clever and able to make space for themselves nowadays," he explained. "But, with the energy we have in a three, I fancy ourselves all the time and we seem to be getting on the ball and having more shots on goal.

"I feel the formation has suited me personally and our personnel really well."

The Minstermen could be without a doubtful Summerfield in midfield at Shrewsbury this afternoon but Penn is happy with the potential midfield reinforcements, adding: "That won't be a problem.

"Tom Platt has done really well the last couple of months and, while Lewis Montrose has not played as much as he would have wanted, he's got lots of experience and, whoever plays if Luke is injured, will be fine."