TOM Bradshaw has become the first player to progress from the Aberystwyth Town Academy to win a senior cap for Wales, after he came on as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat in Ukraine on Monday.

The Walsall striker has been in superb form for the Saddlers, and he must now wait to see if he will make Chris Coleman’s squad for Euro 2016 in France.

Having been ruled out of Wales’ 1-1 friendly draw with Northern Ireland last Thursday, through a minor hamstring injury, the former Aber forward finally made his senior debut as a 72nd minute replacement for Cardiff City’s Tom Lawrence.

The 23 year-old went close to making a dream debut when he powerfully headed towards goal from a corner in added time, having also gone close to grabbing an assist when flicking a cross into the path of Sam Vokes, who steered wide.Bradshaw, who was raised in Tywyn and went on to play for Aberystwyth’s Reserves and senior team, had previously scored on his debuts for Wales Under 19s, Under 21s, and Shrewsbury Town and Walsall.

“Obviously it was a disappointing result, as we came out here to win, but I enjoyed every second I was on the pitch,” said Bradshaw. "It was a childhood dream to play for my country, and I’ve now achieved that.

"It’s not the result we wanted, but I enjoyed it all the same, and on another day we might have nicked one or two goals.”

Bradshaw has netted three goals in his last four games for League One club Walsall, taking his tally to 18 goals this season.

After joining the Saddlers from Shrewsbury Town, he was restricted to 37 appearances last season, after being blighted by hamstring problems, but he still managed to score 20 goals in his first season.

“It has been great joining up with the Wales squad on the back of a few goals,” said Bradshaw, who has become the first ex-Aberystwyth Town player to achieve a senior cap since Phil Woosnam in 1959.

“As a striker, to score 20 last season and have 18 already this season - with nine games to go - I can’t ask for any more. I’m confident that I will make it to 20 goals again this season, and with Wales I have been doing my best to impress Chris Coleman.

“It’s a great time for Welsh football at the moment, with us qualifying for the Euros. I have got to believe that I can get on the plane - I just wanted to get some minutes and do everything I could to impress.

“I’m over the moon to be part of the set-up, and a part of what is going on. The build-up for Euro 2016 is so exciting, and it’s great to be involved in the squad.”

Bradshaw is the latest player to graduate from the Welsh Premier League to the national side, the most notable being Mark Delaney, who started out with Carmarthen Town before winning international recognition following moves to Cardiff and Aston Villa.

Owain Tudur Jones was capped whilst at Swansea, after moving from Bangor City, while centre-back Steve Evans made his Wales debut whilst at Wrexham, after a switch from The New Saints.

Coleman will name his Euro 2016 squad at the end of May.