David Nugent: Preston forward recalls memorable England goal against Andorra

Nugent, who was included in Steve McClaren's squad during his first spell at the Lilywhites, is one of a handful of players who can boast a goal in their only senior appearance for the Three Lions.

With England needing victory to keep their eventual unsuccessful qualifying campaign on track, McClaren turned to Nugent as he searched for a replacement for the injured Darren Bent.

During his solo appearance, Nugent scored late, pouncing on a Jermain Defoe effort that was on the line to hit the ball into the back of the net and claim the goal.

Recalling the early events of his call-up, Nugent stated: "It was a madness! I remember the game that Steve McClaren came to watch, we were playing Ipswich at home.

"I didn't [know he was there] until just before I went out. Basically Paul Simpson's pulled me before we've gone out for the warm up and said 'oh listen, Steve McClaren's here to watch you' so I was like, 'oh my God what's going on here?

"I'm not being funny I probably had the worst game of my career! It was weird because I always score against Ipswich and this game I had a shocker and I was thinking 'I'm never getting called up."

He did get the call-up though which became public in late Match 2007, with England travelling to Spain to face Andorra in Barcelona.

While Nugent expected to spend the full contest on the bench, he got his chance when he was introduced in the 79th minute in place of Andy Johnson.

"We played Andorra at Espanyol's stadium and he [McClaren] named the squad and I was on the bench," he continued.

"I was thinking 'oh he's giving me a little bit of experience for me, put me on the bench for England' and I didn't think I was ever going to come on.

"But it was a time where McClaren was under pressure, we're trying to qualify for the Euros. It was 0-0 and half-time and I'm thinking 'the fans are heckling him' and I just thought I wasn't coming on.

"I think if it was 5-0, I might have come on, but because it's 0-0 I've got no chance. Steven Gerrard scored two goals and within a matter of 20 minutes it was 2-0 up and he was like 'Nuge, warm up' and I said 'oh my God!'

"I'm trying to warm up and my legs are shaking on the side. I was trying to [play it cool] but I was like 'this could be my chance'.

"With 20 minutes to go I've come on and I've missed a chance in the first five minutes. Stewie Downing has pulled one back and I've had a shot that's gone wide. I think that's my chance over, I'm not going to get another chance now.

"But then, last minute of the game, Jermain Defoe gets the ball and he has a shot, the goalkeeper saves it and you can see it rolling in but I'm thinking 'I'm going to get this. I'm not leaving it!'

"Obviously I ran in, scored, basically from not even a yard, it's on the line, and Defoe has run off celebrating. I'm like 'it's mine, it's mine, it's mine!

"I'm trying to celebrate and they're all running over to Jermain. After the game, I didn't know if I did [score] or not, but I had to get confirmation off the BBC in the interview after.

"One cap, one goal, that'll do me."

Unfortunately for Nugent, further England call-ups didn't come. Despite that, he remains proud of the contribution he made during his time in a Three Lions shirt.

"After that, I thought this is it now, I'm going to get called up all the time but obviously it didn't materialise in the end. But it's always something that will stick with me.

"I've played for my country and I've scored for my country."

Having joined Preston from Bury in January 2005, Nugent is back in Lancashire after 12 years away from Deepdale.

North End featured in the Championship play-offs during the 2005/06 season but they were beaten by Leeds in the semi-finals, stopping a potential promotion to the Premier League.

While they fell short of going up that time, Nugent is hoping that they can go one step further this time and reach the top-flight of English football.

"It was just mad, doing one big circle and to end up back at the club where I've basically enjoyed my time most playing my football and scoring goals," Nugent said of his move in the summer.

"It was exciting putting the Preston shirt on again when I re-signed and my aim is to try and get this club in the Premier League.

"I failed twice last time but hopefully now I come back around, third time lucky, to try and do it this time."

David Nugent was speaking as part of Sky Bet's Retrospective series. More episodes can be watched here.

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