TOP-SCORER John Durnin admitted his performance against Shrewsbury was helped by the needle of the occasion.

Durnin appears to thrive in the heat of the battle and some of his exchanges with the opposition inspired him to a match-winning display.

Fans will remember his two goals to win a fiery match up in Darlington in October.

Booked after just six minutes on Saturday, the former Liverpool man went on to open the scoring on 40 minutes and then his free-kick led to the second goal.

And Durnin, 35, confessed: "There's always verbals going on and niggles. But it gets me going and I like that. It seems the more, the better for me!

"It's been a shocking run for us but to be fair I don't think we've had the best of luck. You cannot always rely on luck and it always evens itself out over the season.

"We've played teams off the pitch and not won but now we've got our just rewards.

"We now need to get on a run and go and beat Macclesfield. We're looking forward to it already and hopefully we can end this season on a bit of a high."

Durnin missed an opportunity as well and said: "I had that chance before the goal. I could have volleyed it or side-footed it and I don't think I did either in the end.

"But I know I will always get chances. It seems I usually miss one before I score a goal!

"It's always good to score before half-time, it lifts the lads and the crowd. It was a good crowd and that's what you need."

And Durnin will meet with boss Jan Molby to discuss what happens next season.

He added: "I haven't really looked beyond this season. But I've always wanted to stay in the game in management and coaching in some capacity.

"I want to keep playing as long as I enjoy it and I am doing that at the moment.

"I'm getting my match fitness now but it's probably too late. I was injured in pre-season and that held me back a month or two and then you're always playing catch-up."