STRIKER Mark Shepherd has had an eventful two weeks in the football world which has included three goals and a red card.

The 23-year-old celebrated his first ever league goal for Worcester City in their 3-1 defeat at Moor Green but was then brought down to earth with a red card as a substitute against Ilkeston Town after being on the pitch for less than five minutes.

But he then bounced back with two goals against St Blazey, having come on as substitute to replace broken leg victim Mark Owen, to help send City through to the next round of the FA Cup.

Shepherd moved to St George's Lane in March 2001 after four years at Moor Green where he scored 73 goals in 173 games.

"I had a good time at Moor Green and was there four years," he said.

"Before that I was at Kidderminster Harriers so this is my third club at this sort of standard and I'm only 23.

"I'm enjoying it here and it's local which helps with the travelling and I'm here for this season to try and prove myself."

Shepherd is contracted until the end of the season and is hoping to do enough on the pitch to persuade manager John Barton to extend his deal.

But he admits it has been frustrating notching up a number of appearances as a substitute.

"I've made a lot of appearances but a lot of them have been 20 minutes here or there.

"It does bother you being a little bit being a centre forward but I came in against St Blazey and scored two goals which I didn't expect.

"I wanted to leave Moor Green and Worcester was an option and fair play to John, he'd never really seen me play but I came and he gave me until the end of last season to prove myself which was superb.

"It has worked out well at the moment."

Unfortunately for Shepherd he begins a three-match ban starting for today's match against Tiverton Town in the Dr Martens Premier Division and the timing of the ban could not have come at a worse time.

"It's come at the wrong time, both ways in terms of Mark Owen as well, but that's football," he added.