Burton Albion's on-loan striker Joe Mason is well aware of just how brutal the Championship can be after he got off the mark for his new side in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

The striker opened his Brewers account just 30 seconds after he came on as a 65th-minute substitute as Albion battled back from 1-0 down to claim a point - and stretch their unbeaten run to three matches.

Albion's recruitment is always done smartly, and the signing is no different, with Mason having made his debut for hometown club Plymouth Argyle at the tender age of just 18 back in December 2009 - a Championship match against Sheffield United.

His Argyle side were relegated later on that season, but seven goals in the League One season that followed saw Cardiff City make a £250,000 move for him and propel him back into the Championship.

Joe Mason during his Brewers debut
Joe Mason during his Brewers debut

It is that second-tier experience that makes him such an attraction for Nigel Clough and the Brewers - and with over 150 league games under his belt in one of the toughest leagues in Europe, that is a huge asset to Albion.

"It's given me a taste now," Mason said of his debut strike, rifled home between the legs of helpless Owls captain Tom Lees.

"I want to come back and get more of that goal-scoring feeling, and there's no better feeling for myself and now I'm going to work as hard as I can to get that back.

"Especially when you go into the international break, it's crucial for the lads to have a good feeling going into that. We're unbeaten now in a few games, and every point counts in this league and it could count to be really important come the end of the season.

"First and foremost, I want to get on the pitch and make an impact, and being a striker that's scoring goals and that's what I base my game on and I was happy to do that (against Wednesday).

Mason also wanted to clear up any doubts about his fitness that Brewers fans may have given his absence from the Wolves squad this season - ahead of a game that doesn't come as big i the Championship, the visit to Leeds United on September 9.

He also praised Albion boss Nigel Clough for helping him to settle in, and revealed that he already knew a couple of players in the group from previous clubs.

"I know a few of the lads, Ben Turner (Cardiff) and Damien McCrory (Plymouth) pretty well so that helped me settle in and the manager's been spot on so, it's been easy to settle in to be honest."

Joe Mason already knows Damien McCrory (pictured) from his time at Plymouth
Joe Mason already knows Damien McCrory (pictured) from his time at Plymouth

"I'm fit enough as it is, it's just game time that I've been missing out on," added Mason.

"I'll keep myself ticking over during the break and hopefully his the ground running when I get back.

"There'll be a few people in doing their little bits and we'll just make sure we're all ready for that big game when we come back."