A fastener assembly for attaching articles to a penetrable surface such as drywall material found in the interiors of buildings. The assembly is comprised of a fastener, which fastener has a threaded shank with a pointed end and either a head or a second threaded end and an anchor member piercedly captured by the threaded shank of the fastener. The anchor member is held in a position substantially parallel to the axis of the threaded shank with the pointed end extending beyond the anchor member by a retaining means while the assembly is piercing a surface; as the assembly pierces the surface, the retaining means slips from engagement with the anchor member and, as the anchor member passes through the rear side of the surface penetrated, spring means on the anchor member urge the anchor member to a position substantially oblique to the axis of the threaded fastener. Force applied to the assembly in a direction to withdraw the assembly from the surface brings the anchor member in contact with the inner face of the surface penetrated, this binding action of the anchor member against the inner face of the surface penetrated keeps the anchor member stationary while the threaded fastener is threadedly advanced through the anchor member until the fastener is appropriately positioned for attachment of an article to the surface. The assembly is capable of accomplishing its purpose of fastening articles to the penetrated surface even when a wooden member abuts the inner face of the surface without having to withdraw the assembly and apply a different fastener means to accommodate that wooden member.