Alan Goodall: Fighting spirit can take us far this season

The 33-year-old scored The Shrimps’ opener as a depleted side battled to a 4-1 win over Notts County on Saturday.

Jim Bentley lost Laurence Wilson, Shaun Beeley and Aaron Wildig on the day but Goodall got the hosts on their way to a well-deserved win with a fine effort from 25 yards.

He said: “We were unfortunate to lose Lozza in the warm-up and then Beels went down too.

“So to perform like that and get a result like that the way the lads did was magnificent.

“We’re a close-knit group and it’s good because we’re fighting for each other.

“When someone gets injured, someone comes in off the bench or into the team.

“I thought three magnificent subs (Alex Kenyon, Paul Mullin and Lee Molyneux) came on and played their part on Saturday.”

Having hobbled off against Portsmouth seven days earlier on an energy-sapping afternoon for The Shrimps Goodall admitted it was hard day’s work against County.

The holding midfielder said: “They were tough to break down.

“From last week to this week we were working hard but I think a few of us were tired in the first half.

“It was a bit warm out there and a bit sticky but our shape was good.

“I thought the timing of the first goal was good, it settled everyone down and we pushed on from there.”

That first goal was Goodall’s. his second in two games, but he is taking a wider view when it comes to his goal-scoring exploits.

He said: “I think I’ve got two in a row maybe once before.

“It’s nice to see them go in but the main is was getting the three points on the board and I’m just happy that’s the case.”