It was a goal which silenced Hartlepool, and one which Garry Thompson hopes will also do the same to his critics.

The Iron attacker feels he proved a point with his second strike of the season at Victoria Park.

A lengthy lay-off due to a persistent groin injury left several, including Thompson himself, questioning his ability to cut the mustard this term.

He admits it has not been easy, having been in and out of the team, but after putting in the hours on the training ground, believes he is now back to his peak.

"It was hard getting my fitness back, I must admit," said Thompson.

"I was a long time out and pre-season was hard, getting into games.

"That's all excuses back then, but I feel totally fine now.

"I feel as fit as I've ever been and hopefully my goal can just show everybody that I'm not past it or not out of it by any means.

"I think there were some questions marks. I thought it myself.

"It was hard but I've trained every single day since we've come back in the summer.

"Hopefully I can keep going in this vein of form and notch a few more goals between now and the end of the season.

"I'm under no illusions.

"I'm 31 years old and know I'm probably not going to play every game, which is disappointing from my point of view after I missed a long spell last season.

"But nobody has a right to play. We've got a good, young squad and if you don't play well, you don't keep your place.

"When you're fit and you feel you're doing well, you do want to stay in the side.

"But I came in on Monday and all I can do is play like I did then and make it impossible for the gaffer to not play me."

On a personal level, United's 2-1 victory on Monday was pleasing for Thompson.

For his team however, it was vital, lifting them up to 18th in the League One table.

"It was a much-needed three points," said the former Morecambe man. "I think it was an all-round better performance and we were very pleased.

"It can hopefully kick-start our season now and push us up to the right end of the table, where we feel we belong.

"I think it is a result we've been needing and waiting on, thankfully it came.

"We've just got to go out every time and do exactly the same thing we did on Monday.

"There's no point resting on our laurels. There's no point thinking, 'we did it at Hartlepool so we're going to do it at Colchester or whoever the game's against'."