THERE’S an old football saying that goes ‘if you don’t buy a ticket, you won’t win the lottery’ and Joe Riley might argue he’s due a run of good luck.

After some horrendous problems with injuries early on in his young career the Shakers full-back is now all smiles, setting his sights on making a dent in League One.

Riley’s stunning goal at Bramall Lane on Saturday set David Flitcroft’s men on their way to a 3-1 victory over promotion hopefuls Sheffield United.

The 23-year-old’s previous professional strike had been a worldie too, confirming Bury’s place in last season’s play-offs with a 1-0 win at Shrewsbury.

As we now know, it got better for the Shakers that season, and Riley is convinced that this wonder strike could set the team on their way to bigger and better things.

“We've got to keep it going,” he said after the first victory at the home of the Blades since 1925. “We did it last season and carried it into this season. The gaffer and Futch (Ben Futcher) won't let us get complacent.

“We've got to keep our heads down and keep working hard.

“With the squad that we've got, the ability and everything that we've got in the squad is geared up to come to places like this and get three points.”

Riley hadn’t scored at his two previous professional clubs, Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United.

But when he swapped the Macron Stadium for Gigg Lane last season it was games and not goals that were high on his list of priorities.

Since establishing himself under Flitcroft, the Salfordian defender has gone on from strength to strength, playing 23 of 26 games since making his debut against Exeter City, missing only those for which he was suspended.

Goals, however, have been a bonus and particularly those of the spectacular variety.

“I tried one in the first half but it didn't come off,” he said after putting one in the top corner to beat Mark Howard in the Blades’ goal on Saturday.

“I fancied my chances because I've got faith in my ability right now, that I can do those type of things.

“When an opportunity comes up like that I'll always have a go.

“I knew it was going in as soon as it left my foot, I hit it sweet as a nut.

“I knew with the Shrewsbury goal too. I was already wheeling away to celebrate with the fans.

“If I keep scoring goals like that then yeah, I'll keep trying.”

Victory at Sheffield United has set tongues wagging around the town, with many Shakers fans still able to recall the magical double promotion under Stan Ternent against the odds in 1996 and 1997.

It is perhaps early days to be making such comparisons – but Riley admits performances like the one on Saturday can do their chances no harm at all.

“It's a massive club so to come to a place like this and put in a performance like that is brilliant,” he said. “To dominate from the first minute to the last is a credit to everyone on the pitch.”