Kevin Ellison says he owed one to Newport County AFC fans after he stuck the boot into his former club Morecambe to help the Exiles earn a valuable 3-1 victory.
The veteran forward has heaped plenty of misery on County supporters in recent seasons after managing six goals, six assists and winning three penalties in 12 appearances against the Exiles.
Ellison has revelled in his role as a pantomime villain over the course of his career, particularly with supporters in the fixture between County and the Shrimps down the years.
Exiles supporters have been accustomed to fearing the worse when his name has been chalked on the Morecambe teamsheet after building up a reputation of having a big influence on the matches between the two sides.
Ellison was on the scoresheet again at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday afternoon - but this time it was for the Exiles, rather than against them.
"Newport coming to the Mazuma Stadium hasn't been so good over the years, especially when I've been in the opposition team," said Ellison.
"But I'm glad and happy that I've done it for Newport County AFC today because I owed them one. People will be saying that it's my old club, but Newport County AFC put food on the table for my kids and that's where my loyalties lie.
"People will look at it and see I've come back and scored against my former club, but it was more about getting another three points on the table for us.
"It's great to score but I'm not selfish, especially when you get older because you like to see the younger lads step up to the plate.
"I think people said it was written in the stars and I'm happy with it if I'm honest."
County got off to the perfect start in Lancashire - a place where results have been hard to come by in recent seasons - when Matty Dolan fired home from the penalty spot with eight minutes on the clock.
Yann Songo’o got Morecambe back into it with a thunderous effort before his side were reduced to 10 men when captain Sam Lavelle was sent off.
Josh Sheehan then restored County's lead before the break before Ellison stepped up against his former side to send the Exiles above them.
"They were ahead of us in the table before the game," said Ellison.
"We knew they would be a strong and physical team and they've done really well this season.
"They've got a squad of players, they've been playing some nice football and getting results so fair play to them."
Ellison is a player who has thrived off the crowd over the course of his career, but the veteran had to settle for celebrating in front of an empty Mazuma Stadium.
It took the gloss of the forward's second goal of the campaign since joining the Exiles, although he admitted celebrations in soulless stadiums have made him even eager to go again next season.
"When I look at it now with everything that's happened with Covid, people have lost loved ones and certain things have happened.
"It's been a hard year for us all but I can't finish football, with me being the pantomime villain, without fans being in there."
It was the third time in the space of seven days that County have secured maximum points - a feat they last achieved in October - and they have now edged closer to the top three.
"I know that Tranmere and Salford didn't play this weekend because of the cup games, but it's about what we do," added Ellison.
"We know what squad we've got and even the lads who don't play and aren't in the squad, it's unbelievable what we have.
"We've got to keep doing what we're doing, pick up points along the way and not worry about anyone else."