And after a huge debut the striker insisted he had no problem turning out for Preston just 90 minutes after meeting his new team-mates.

"At the end of the day it's still the same pitch with a goal at
either end," he said.

"I was a little bit surprised I was thrown straight in.

"But I've played against most of the lads and you sort of get to know people.

"I didn't find it particularly tough fitting in. But the more I train with them and play with them the more understanding we will get."

Parkin only signed at 11.46am on matchday – just 14 minutes
before the noon deadline to face Charlton.

A quick handshake in the dressing-room was all the
introduction he got.

But once out on the pitch the burly frontman slotted in like he had played there all his career.

Nicknamed 'The Beast', he terrified the Londoners' defence. Yet, at the same time, he showed a delicacy of touch not normally associated with a 6ft 4in bear of a man.

>>Preston North End 2 Charlton Athletic 1 - See match report

Manager Alan Irvine revealed: "A lot of people look at Jon and think he is a great big lad who is just there to compete for balls in the air.

"But everyone will have seen out there what quality he has got. If he didn't have that quality I wouldn't have brought him here."

Parkin was unlucky not to cap a memorable first day for North End with a goal. But when the crowd thought he was being subbed 12 minutes from time he has given a standing ovation for the massive contribution he had made to a thrilling victory.

A mix-up in shirt numbers on the fourth official's board meant Parkin (26) stayed on and skipper Paul McKenna (16) limped off, allowing the new boy to complete his second 90
minutes in the space of four days.

Tuesday's Carling Cup win for Stoke at Cheltenham was his first full match for 16 months.

"As a player that is terribly frustrating," he said. "You want to play football and I never really got the chance to do that last year.

"I am under no illusions. I was blowing a bit in the last 20
minutes.

"But that is to be expected and playing games is obviously going to get me fitter.

"It was a very good start for me here at Preston and I was
delighted with the reception I got from the fans – it's better than being booed!

"I've had that once or twice. But this was terrific."

For full story, see Monday's Lancashire Evening Post