SHOULD Southend United be struggling for goals next season then manager Steve Tilson could always look in the most unexpected of directions.

For his new goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall, who signed for the Shrimpers on a free transfer during the summer, once scored the winning goal for Notts County in a League Cup tie at Mansfield Town.

And, rather bizarrely, he also made his league debut as a striker for hometown club Swindon Town back in 1997.

“We were away at Tranmere Rovers and it was back in the days of three subs on the bench,” recalled Mildenhall.

“I was one of them because the keeper had a knock and with 10 minutes to go we were losing 2-1 when the manager, Steve McMahon, turned round to me and said I was going on.

“I presumed the keeper had signalled without me seeing to say he was struggling but it turned out I was going on up front.

“So I actually started my league career as a striker but, to be fair, I don’t think I actually touched the ball.”

But four years later and, in just his third appearance for Notts County – who he joined from Swindon in a £150,000 switch – Mildenhall was celebrating scoring his first career goal despite being selected in his more natural slot between the sticks.

“That’s something that will stick with me for sure,” said the 30-year-old.

“I took a free-kick in our own area, the keeper came out for it but missed the ball and it bounced in so I scored what proved to be the winner.”

Mildenhall has not scored since but has still enjoyed plenty of other career highlights, including playing at both the Millennium Stadium and Wembley in play-off finals.

Those games, with Grimsby and Yeovil Town, ended in defeat however and the keeper is keen to avoid similar heartache with the Shrimpers.

“I’m not sure whether I should be telling people this because they might think I’m a jinx but I’ve lost in the play off final in two of the last three years,” said Mildenhall.

“It might be third time lucky for me but I think automatic promotion is the way we want to go because it gets it over and done with and I certainly think it’s possible too – it has to be our target.”

That desire to get back into the Championship was what led him to leave Yeovil during the summer.

And the giant keeper, who stands at 6 foot 5 inches tall and has made 273 career appearances, believes Blues have the potential to rise again up the divisions.

“Southend have been in the Championship before and it’s a big club,” he said “There’s a great looking new stadium going to built and it’s a great area as well.

“I had two good years at Yeovil. I loved the place, the people and supporters but it’s a long way out in the middle of nowhere and it’s an unfortunate thing for them.

“But here with the new ground and the average gates there is potential for this to be a big Championship club and once I had a chat with the gaffer and knew about the plans, it was an easy decision to come here.”

Since then, Mildenhall has settled in well in his new surroundings and has already purchased a house in Hockley.

Now he cannot wait for the season to start, adding: “We’ve done OK during pre-season but it’s all about making sure we hit the ground running on August 9 for our first game against Peterborough United.”