There has been a lot of attention on our recent wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United but we knew that Saturday’s match against Exeter was going to be hard.

In many ways, it was actually a tougher match. There were more than 20,000 fans at the top-of-the-table clashes against the Sheffield clubs and just 5,439 at St James’ Park, so it was a different kind of game.

You have to get yourself up for those sort of games and winning such matches is vital if we’re to gain promotion.

I thought we played well without being at our best. But when you’re defending as well as we are at the moment, it doesn’t take much to convert a half-chance into a win.

I have to admit that my goal was a bit fortunate but although the lads have been ribbing me that it was own goal, I’m definitely claiming it.

I went to cross the ball but connected with the outside of my foot and it went straight into the net. The keeper tried to punch it clear but the fact that it went over the line is all anyone was worrying about.

Exeter played with a five-man defence and were compact, so it was difficult to break through and that’s been the story of our defence as well this season.

To only concede 19 league goals all season prior to the midweek match against Bury is impressive and we seem to have taken it on to a higher level since New Year’s Day, with only Fulham scoring against us in the FA Cup.

I’m told we’d gone more than seven hours without conceding at the start of the week and that’s testament to not only the goalkeeper and the back four, who take the lion’s share of the credit but the rest of the team that works hard to support them and close down players further forward.

It’s a joy to play with Chris Solly down the right because he’s great going forward but also difficult to get past, while Rhoys Wiggins down the left is like a winger himself.

Matt Taylor is a no-nonsense defender because he’ll put the ball into Row Z and get back into position, while Michael Morrison is a bit more agile and will win headers and dribble the ball out a bit.

Our lead was nine points at the start of the week but I can honestly say we’re not giving it much thought.

We’re only just past the halfway mark and, with so many strong clubs in the chasing pack, we have to maintain our form.