Divine intervention helped loan ranger Chris Iwelumo break his goalscoring duck this week, and the big Scotsman is now hoping to enter goal heaven.

The 22-year-old finally got on the scoresheet for York City in the remarkable FA Cup second-round replay win at Reading on Tuesday night. And he is now hoping to add to his tally in the time he has left at Bootham Crescent, starting with tonight's Division Three clash with Blackpool.

"The Big Man was obviously looking down on me," Iwelumo said as he recalled his stoppage time strike which sealed the Minstermen's 3-1 victory at the Madejski Stadium.

The goal did have a touch of fortune about it, as the 6ft 4in hitman chased a long pass from Alex Mathie down the inside right channel and challenged for it with Reading 'keeper Phil Whitehead just outside the box, the ball ricocheting into the net.

"We were 2-1 up and the worst thing to do was let the 'keeper get the ball up the park and that's why I slid in," he told said.

That strike was his first in seven outings for the Minstermen, but he hasn't let his lack of goals worry him.

"I knew a goal was going to come. I've been getting in the positions to score and I'm delighted to have got it," said the former St Mirren forward.

"Terry Dolan's always told me not to think about it and Adie Shaw's been keeping me going, saying if I keep working hard the goals will come. Hopefully that's the first of many."

Iwelumo had had the chance to score City's second goal just minutes earlier, after Steve Agnew had equalised Darren Caskey's opener for Reading. But instead he put the team cause ahead of personal glory, playing in substitute Colin Alcide to slot into an empty net when he himself had only the 'keeper to beat.

"Scott Jordan put me through and it was 80-20 that I would score but the 'keeper closed down the angles and Colin Alcide had pretty much an open goal," said Iwelumo.

"It was 1-1 with two minutes left. We had to score given the circumstances and I thought that was the best way to make sure we did. You can't just go for the glory."

He added: "I got my goal anyway, so it all ended perfectly."

Dolan has said he would like to keep the big Scot at Bootham Crescent "for as long as possible", but the current loan deal with Stoke City runs out on January 9.

peter.martini@ycp.co.uk