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"To travel all this way and not play would have been disappointing. But if I'd been on the sidelines watching and we would have clinched promotion then it would have been gutting. I was sick several times at the hotel but felt a little better in the morning. After walking around the pitch and getting some fresh air I knew I'd be alright. Once you start playing adrenalin takes over and I'm fine now we've got three points.
"In the first half we were playing uphill, against the wind and against a Carlisle side flowing with confidence. If we had gone in at one-nil then things might have been different, but I think my goal settled a few nerves and we were able to provide a professional, solid performance in the second half. Hopefully it will come next week. We want to win both games anyway, although I know we need just three more points to seal promotion."
Meanwhile, last-minute emergency loan signing from Everton, in goalkeeper John Ruddy, commented :
"It's been a great debut. I can't see the lads having any problems now - I'm sure they'll go on and clinch promotion. Whether I'm here or not, I don't know. I'll speak to the manager on Monday to see how Adriano Basso is. If I'm wanted then I'll be there in a flash. I'd love to come back and help clinch promotion, I'll take the plaudits for that! I don't know I'd be eligible for a medal, I'll have a word with the gaffer (Gary Johnson) about that.
"Joking aside these lads have worked hard all season and I've come in to help them out. If I don't come back then I wish them all the best for the next two games. I found out about the loan at 3pm on Friday afternoon, then it was straight into the car to join up with the squad in Newcastle. All the lads were friendly and made me feel very welcome. It felt like I'd been there for a week, not 12 hours.
"I've never been thrown in at the deep end like this before and it was pretty hectic to say the least. However, I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Obviously we didn't get off to the greatest start and they dominated for the first 20 minutes. But then the lads came out in the second half and battered them. The fans were fantastic to me and throughout the game they didn't shut up! The numbers they travelled in was amazing.
"It was a bit weird when the substitutes came on because I knew the first eleven but it is a good job they put names on the back of the shirts these days! I can't see them faltering now. They have got two games left and they have only got to win one so I can see it being very comfortable for them. I wish them all the best for the rest of this season and next season."