MICHAEL Tonge ended his personal goal drought in spectacular style at Pride Park Stadium.

Tonge's 25-yard wonder strike flew in off the underside of the crossbar to set Derby County on their way to a 2-0 win over Watford.

It was the midfielder's first goal in more than two and a half years – his last came for Sheffield United on the opening day of the 2007-8 season.

"I caught it well," said Tonge. "It sort of just opened up for me on the edge of the box. Hunty (Nicky Hunt) made a run outside me and one of their lads backed off a bit.

"So I just hit it instinctively. I thought it had come back out at first after hitting the bar but it was nice to see it go in, especially after hitting the bar against Swansea the other week.

"I was delighted to score but I was more delighted by the fact we got three points because we needed that. I've not scored for a while, so it was good to reintroduce myself to the scoresheet."

Tonge, on loan from Stoke City, thinks the goal is one of the best he has ever scored.

"I scored a good strike with my left foot against Derby a few years ago and I've scored a few free kicks," he added.

"I've not seen this one again, so I'm not sure how good it was but it's got to be up there with my best goals."