Luke McCormick insisted Bristol Rovers will only improve after the Gas secured a 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League One.
The midfielder scored the only goal four minutes after half-time, getting on the end of Isaac Hutchinson’s intelligent cutback to score from close range.
It was the Pirates' second away triumph over the campaign, previously beating Burton Albion 3-1 in October, and are now unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions.
Rovers moved to 13th in the third tier, with McCormick praising a fantastic team performance.
“It feels brilliant,” he said. “I think it was deserved. We had to dig in during the first half, but to a man, I thought we were excellent. The boys that started the game and the boys that came on, all of the staff, we really deserved that.
“That’s been coming. That’s a brilliant away performance, and we go again on Tuesday.
“We’re a young squad, but we’ve got big pitch personality. It took a little bit of time to bed in, but now I think we’re starting to see the fruits of our labour, and we’re only going to get better.”
McCormick only started one of Rovers’ first 13 fixtures in League One but has been in the team from the beginning in the Gas’ last three games, adding a match-winning goal to last week's man-of-the-match performance against Crawley Town at The Memorial Stadium.
The midfielder stated that it was a great feeling to score and that he enjoys his place in the team, with his energetic pressing and late runs into the box greatly benefiting the team.
“It felt unbelievable,” said McCormick. “Obviously, with the travelling fans, it was so good. It’s the best feeling in the world, and the tap-ins are the best goals, believe it or not. I’m delighted.
“If you keep doing the right things, you’ll get your rewards. That’s what happened today.
“That’s my game, and that’s what I enjoy doing the most. That was a really gutsy performance from everyone. I’ll take the credit for tapping it in at the back post, but the goal itself was a brilliant training ground goal.
“The boys at the back, the two boys in the midfield, everyone to a man was excellent today, so I’m delighted.”
McCormick permanently signed for the Gas in August 2022 but was restricted to just 38 league appearances across his first two seasons back at the Club through injury. He is now back in the team and feels like he is in a good position.
“It’s the best I’ve felt probably since I arrived back at the Club,” said McCormick. “I worked really hard in the summer and continue to work hard every day. I'm just trying to enjoy playing every week and competing. Hopefully, I can get a few more goals and just keep going.”
