Chris Birchall has spoken of his delight after he started and scored in Port Vale’s victory over Peterborough United at Vale Park on Saturday.
The 30-year-old scored his second goal of the season, and first since October, to help the Valiants get back on level terms after Conor Washington had put Peterborough into an early lead.
Ben Williamson then capitalised on a mistake in the Posh defence to give Vale a 2-1 win.
Speaking to the press after the game, Birchall said: “I didn't know until 1.30pm that I was playing.
"We had a behind closed doors game in mid-week and I played well in that and I think the manager was pleased with me; it's nice to be acknowledged.
"You just want to come back in, play as much football as you can and be on the winning team. There is nothing worse than coming in and then the team losing, you feel like you are going to be out again straight away”.
Birchall also praised the nature of the performance, adding: “It wasn't pretty; I think everyone will agree with that.
"But I have played against Peterborough many times and we have played a lot better than that and not got anything out of the game.
"At this part of the season it is all about getting the points on the table and we are two points off fifth place now, but we know eight or nine teams are within two or three points of us.
"It is a tight league but we will take games like this where we don't play well but we get the win."
Now Birchall hopes he has done enough to start next week’s match against Crewe Alexandra.
He said: "If selected, I will be looking forward to it a lot. I am a local lad and these are the games I want to play in. I haven't managed to play in the last couple, I have been on the bench.
"We will see what happens. A week is a long time in football, even though we have won there might still be changes. But it is a massive game to play in, especially when we are that close to being where we want to be, in the play off places.
"We will give it our all, go and attack the game, and try to win it."