ROB Elliot looks back on his role in Accrington Stanley's promotion to the Football League in 2006 as the most 'pivotal' in his career.

Elliot was an up and coming goalkeeper when he made his Reds debut as a 20-year-old on loan from Charlton Athletic in the Conference winning season.

And the now Republic of Ireland international, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury last month which means he will miss this summer's European Championships, saved perhaps his best performance for the crucial clash at Woking 10 years ago today.

Elliot saved a Justin Richards penalty and although the Woking striker scored the rebound the referee ordered a re-take, which Elliot again saved. This time Stanley survived the rebound and the Reds went on to earn the three points in a 1-0 win.

“The ref gave the penalty, the lad took it and I saved it,” recalls Elliot.

“He then scored the rebound but I think there was encroachment or something and the ref asked for it to be retaken.

"He took it again, I saved it again and I remember being on the floor as he looked to get the rebound. I think it might have been Robbie Williams who gave him a little nudge as he went for it, I managed to get up off the floor and I think it just hit me really. It was more luck than judgement.

“The corner came in after that and the header was cleared off the line and later I think we cleared another off the line.

"Sometimes in life and in football things just line up for you and it was just one of those things. We knew that everything was with us that season, the luck and everything.”

And Elliot looks back at his Stanley spell as the springboard for the success he has enjoyed with Charlton and Newcastle United since leaving East Lancashire.

“It was probably career defining for me,” he said of his Stanley stay. “I don’t think I’d be where I am now if I hadn’t gone on loan to Accrington.

"That set my stall out and introduced me to men’s professional football and gave me an opportunity to show what I could do. When I went back to Charlton I went back in higher stead.

“It’s probably the most pivotal moment in my career. Playing in the Premier League and Europa League and in internationals are obviously massive achievements and I’ll always remember them but none of it would have happened without Woking and the penalties and all the things I achieved with Accrington that season.

“I’m 30 this month and when I think about it I think it’s one of the best things that’s happened in my life.”