IT was great to get that win over Aldershot on Saturday - it was much needed for everyone, both on and off the field.

I thought we had played better in recent games and certainly against Accrington Stanley on midweek.

But it doesn't matter how you get the win as long as you get the points.

Everyone in the camp has been a little bit down even though the banter has been good with the lads the bad results do get you down so the win lifts the players and fans alike and you could feel that change straight after the game.

And it makes it better because we kept the clean sheet as well and that, for me as a defender, is the main thing in every game.

I look at keeping clean sheets as much as strikers look at scoring goals.

We do owe the clean sheet to big Barry Roche who made a great penalty save and had a good game and that gives the platform and it's nice to see the lads scoring.

As I say the win was important because we now have a good two-week break from League 2 because of Saturday's FA Cup tie with Grimsby Town.

We have played against Grimsby a lot since we became a Football League side so we know all about them and know just what to expect.

They are struggling a bit in the League but they will want to do well in the Cup to give themselves a good boost and have just appointed a new manager in Mike Newell so they will want to impress.

I know all about Mike Newell. He played for my club Everton and I have played against him a few times in the Conference and he is a good competitor.

But it's not about Mike Newell. It is about Morecambe v Grimsby and a place in the next round of the FA Cup.

Obviously, we all dream of getting to the third round and pulling a glamour tie - but you cannot take anything for granted. You see upsets left, right and centre in the Cup and you have to be on your mettle.

One downside to the week is the hamstring injury to Rene Howe. He has been an ever-present but he will be out for a few weeks now and it is up to whoever comes in to replace him to take their chance and give the manager a headache over who to pick when Rene is back.