Although Andrè Schembri’s Panionios lost 2-1 at high-flying Atromitos last weekend, the Malta striker signalled his intent to make his mark for the Greek club this season after opening his scoring account.

Schembri was on the right spot to meet an inviting cross and head the ball past the Atromitos keeper to put Panionios momentarily in the lead.

However, substitute Elias Anastasakos struck two quick goals after the break to turn the score in favour of Atromitos who have kept the pace with joint-leaders Panathinaikos, leaving Panionios in the bottom half of the table.

Schembri, 25, joined Panionios in late September after securing his release from Olympiakos Volos who were demoted to the bottom tier of Greek football over match-fixing.

On Saturday, the Malta forward played his first full game for Panionios and looked relieved as he celebrated his goal after all he’d been through during the Volos saga.

Interviewed by Nova Sports after the game, Schembri said Panionios were going through a difficult period after slipping to their second defeat in a row.

“I’m happy to have scored my first goal for Panionios,” Schembri said. “It fills me with confidence. However, we’re all disappointed about the result.

“I was very keen to score my first for the team but I’d have willingly traded my goal for three points.”

Panionios’s next match is against seventh-placed OFI on Saturday.