For defender Cliff Byrne, many months of hard work finally paid off on Saturday.

But he was left frustrated at not being able to say the same after 90 minutes of effort from Scunthorpe United.

Making his first appearance in claret and blue since January, Byrne remained on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes at Notts County.

However, he believes the fact team-mate Oliver Norwood didn't was the main reason why the Iron returned from Meadow Lane empty-handed.

Norwood was sent off with half an hour left to play at a time when United were leading 2-1, a scenario the Magpies quickly turned in their favour to win 3-2.

Byrne, though is determined to focus on the positives.

"It was immensely frustrating. We showed a lot of character out there on Saturday," he said.

"Bearing in mind we were the away team, when it was 11v11 I think we were quietly in control of the game.

"The referee's made a decision. We've had the pleasure of seeing it back on TV, and it was the wrong decision for me.

"Then all of a sudden we were down to 10, they pile the pressure on and then they start killing time. That tells you how good a performance we put on.

"It's always going to be difficult when you find yourself outnumbered. You have to play a different style then.

"I felt we were still doing allright and were still pushing on in spells. When you go to places like that you've got to work hard and show a lot of commitment and a lot of desire, which I felt we did in abundance.

"And then we showed our quality with some terrific goals.

"It was a real team effort and we feel disappointed that we didn't take something from the game.

"It's been a little bit of an indifferent month. But if you knocked on their manager's door, he'd tell you they've been in a game on Saturday.

"And that was when we were down to 10 as well. That's what we're about and that's what we should be about week in, week out. That's what we'll continue to do."

The result was the one blot on a pleasing return to action for Byrne, who has been sidelined for the majority of this year with a back injury.

"It was nice. It's been a long time. On a personal level it was good to get back out there," said the skipper.

"We would rather the result had been better, but for me personally, it was nice to be back.

"I've come through it okay.

"It's always going to be difficult coming back from such a long spell. Whenever I was going to play my first game it was always going to be physically demanding.

"I've worked tirelessly in recent months and recent weeks with the physio; and the staff and players, everyone's been terrific.

"I've had a lot of support, particularly at home with friends and close family, my wife and son.

"It's pleasing to get out there but a little tinge of disappointment we didn't get the win."