'Buzzing' Whalley, 38, scores on Accrington return

Shaun Whalley scores on his Accrington comeback against Tranmere

Veteran Accrington forward Shaun Whalley was as excited as a schoolboy after scoring on his comeback from injury at 38.

Whalley, in his fourth season with Stanley, was on the mark in Tuesday's 1-1 League Two draw with Tranmere, his first game of the season.

He is keen to make up for lost time after suffering a muscle injury on the eve of the new season and contribute more for Stanley, who face Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Cup first round on Sunday.

"It wasn't emotional," he told BBC Radio Lancashire. "I was buzzing all day to come to the ground and play because I knew I was starting.

"I just didn't want to sit down in the house. Since I woke up from my afternoon nap, I was just dying to get in the car with the lads and travel up here.

"The injury I got was so close to the new season, I've never missed the first game of the season, so that was a new one for me.

"I had to wait and be patient because I'd wanted to come back in the last couple of weeks, but kept getting told by people, who know a lot more than me, that I need to relax and just wait for my chance.

"It couldn't have started much better for me and I just wish we could have gone on and got the three points."