Sam Saunders said he felt it was his responsibility to step up and take Brentford’s penalty during their 2-1 win over Swindon Town.
The Bees were a goal down when Clayton Donaldson was brought down by Swindon goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot.
Sam, who had come on as a substitute, took the responsibility and drilled it home to level the scores.
Clayton Donaldson scored the winner four minutes later as Brentford completed their come back.
Sam said teams in promotion races needed big characters and Brentford showed they had them in coming from behind.
Swindon had the better of the first half but Brentford fought back to take the win and climb to third in npower League One.
“The only thing I thought was that I better not miss it,” said Sam, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“I thought it was time to step up.
“Harry [Forrester, the last player to score a penalty for The Bees] wasn’t on the pitch and I felt I should step up.
“I wanted to come on, show people what I am about.
“At this time of the year you need big characters, people who can step up to the plate.
“The boys were fantastic in the second half, all 11.
“The way we attacked the second half showed we have some big balls, we showed a lot of character.
“We could have shrunk after losing the last two and made it three defeats on the spin, which would not have been good.
“I thought I would step up and put my foot through it.”
Sam was part of the Dagenham and Redbridge team that won promotion to the Football League in 2007.
He said players like himself, Jonathan Douglas, Tony Craig and Scott Barron, who had won promotion before, had a responsibility to guide the younger players through the stressful race to the line.
“I have had a promotion before,” he said.
“I know what it feels like and I know how it is.
“It was a time when you thought it was a big penalty.
“Myself, Dougie, Tony, Scotty Barron have got promotions on our CV, we have to help the young talent there is, and there is a lot, to get over the line.”
The Bees started with a 4-2-3-1 system with Marcello Trotta as a lone striker and Swindon dominated early on.
Clayton Donaldson moved up front midway through the first half and The Bees improved, although they fell behind as half time approached.
Sam and Bradley Wright-Phillips came on in the second half and helped The Bees turn the game around.
“Me and Bradley came on, we wanted to prove ourselves, we have both been out of the team for the last couple of games,” said Sam.
“Brad looked sharp and the 4-4-2 suited us.
“There was a difference in Clayton; he caused their centre halves all sorts of trouble.
“The change of shape helped and once we got the first goal the ground lifted.
“The crowd needed a lift and they got that.
“Once we scored it was one-way traffic.
“I felt we would always get the second.”
Brentford had lost their previous two games, to Stevenage and Carlisle United, and Sam, who missed them both with an ankle injury, admitted it had been a tough week.
But Brentford were the only team in the top six to win last night and are now just a point behind Sheffield United in second place.
The Bees welcome Preston North End to Griffin Park on Saturday and Sam said everyone – players, staff and fans – had to stay positive.
“The last week has been tough, it was quite low,” he said.
“We have to try and keep the positivity up.
“Everyone is included, the supporters as well.
“We have a big game on Saturday and we need them behind us.
“It might not happen for us straight away and we need everyone believing, we won’t give up.”
A full video interview with Sam Saunders can be seen on Bees Player here.