
Robert Green felt "lower than a snake's belly" after his last trip to Reading - but enjoyed sweet revenge on Saturday after an incredible stroke of luck.
West Ham keeper Green saved the first penalty of his career - from Kevin Doyle - but only because his injured right leg hurt so much it meant he had no option but to dive left.
"I got a dead leg in the first half and I couldn't dive to my right so I had to dive to my left," smiled Green.
"You know your luck's in when that happens.
"I've never saved a penalty before and I've played nearly 300 games. I saved one against Southampton but it got re-taken so that didn't count.
"It's a good hoodoo to put to rest because in the last three games I've played here I conceded 11 goals and I ruptured my groin when I was playing for England B and missed the World Cup."