Andrew to fight for first-team Palace spot

The 24-year-old striker last scored for the Eagles in a 3-1 win over Preston North End on April 5, 2010, but has only played 22 games for the Eagles since then, with the most of those coming off the bench.

He has been loaned out to Brighton, Millwall and Swindon since joining the Eagles in 2008 but, despite being on the fringes again this term, he is determined he wants to stay in south London and push fellow strikers Glenn Murray, Jermaine Easter, Sean Scannell and Steffen Iversen all the way.

"I'm a Palace player and I have been here for a while and I enjoy being here," said Andrew, whose header on Tuesday eventually proved the winner as Palace beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the Carling Cup second round.

"I feel I am part of the furniture so I will give it my best crack again this season - if it doesn't work out then maybe I will have to go on loan but I want to try and get into this team.

"I know it sounds bad but it is always difficult as a player when the team is doing well as I cannot go knocking on the manager's door saying I want to play as we are putting in performances and playing really well.

"All I can do is take my opportunities when I get a chance and do my best.

"But you get judged as a striker on your goals at the end of the day and that is what it is always going to be about.

"It does get a bit frustrating when people say you haven't scored x amount of goals but I have not had a consecutive run of games in the team to say I haven't scored goals.

"I am dipped in and out but that is how football is, it's a harsh game.

"When you get dipped in you have to do what you do and hopefully from the goal I can move on from that and the next time I appear for Palace I can score another one.

"I feel I bring something a little bit different to the table to the other players - the combination of being a target man and being able to run in behind and cause defences problems.

"But we have a great set of lads and the competition is brilliant and spurs you on."

Andrew didn't see his header cross the line on Tuesday as his momentum carried him across the advertising hoardings in front of the Holmestale Stand but he is adamant he will be claiming it, even though it appeared Boro's Stephen McManus may have got the final touch on the line.

"No way is anyone taking that away from me," he said.

"The boys were teasing me a little saying imagine if it is an own goal but I said I would ring Sky right now and tell them to change it.

"To run into a board and all that nonsense for an own goal I wouldn't be too happy about it.

"I didn't see it go in, I was navigating my way over the board and had stones in my face and cut my hands to bits but Paddy McCarthy soon let me know I scored.

"It's brilliant to get the goal at home as well, to remind the fans what I am capable of.

"If anything the fans get a bit frustrated that Calvin is playing but he is not scoring and this and that so you know it is nice to get it at Selhurst and hopefully I can go on from there."