GOALKEEPING coach Steve Croudson is happy to be a 'one-hit wonder' after rolling back the years against Histon.

The 30-year-old, whose last game for the Mariners was almost nine years ago, made some crucial saves in the club's 2-1 win.

But he has made clear he doesn't expect to retain the number one jersey when Luton visit Blundell Park on Saturday.

Boss Neil Woods called on the man whose last competitive outing was for Stevenage Borough in December 2004 after Kenny Arthur picked up a hamstring injury during the defeat to Rushden & Diamonds.

And Croudson, although disappointed not to have taken home a clean sheet, was delighted to play a part in Town's victory.

He said: "I've just come in for one game and done the best I can.

"At least people can see I gave everything I had.

"It was a weird feeling playing again. I came out to warm-up and realised it was a warm-up for me and that I was playing.

"I hoped to keep a clean sheet. I was devastated when the goal went in but we had to keep on going.

"I thought the lads in front of me were in a different class in terms of their work ethic. They grafted to win the headers and the drop-down balls.

"The players were frustrated when we went a goal down but we've learned that we have to get on with it, stay positive and make sure we get the goal and we did that.

"It wasn't pretty, but we got the three points and that's the important thing.

"Luton will be a massive game and Monday was a massive win which I'm absolutely delighted with.

"Hopefully we can start to get a bit of consistency and build from there."

Croudson was nervous before stepping back between the sticks in front of a home crowd – but never hesitated to step up to the task.

He went on: "I found out I was playing in the morning, after the pre-match meal.

"The manager asked if I was okay and I said 'yes'. That was it.

"You are always nervous but that's because you want to do well.

"I didn't want to let myself down first and foremost but I didn't want to let Woodsy and Dave Moore down, because they've been brilliant for me and the team.

"I thought my career has finished and really it has because I've still got the injury.

"But I know I can still come in for a game and train as well, so it's okay. People who know me know I always give it everything I've got and hopefully Monday showed that."

Boss Woods added: "It was a tough decision to pick Steve in the sense that we were asking someone with an injury to play for us.

"Steve didn't make that a situation; as a character it wasn't going to faze him.

"He loves playing. He's very disappointed he hasn't been able to play because of his injury. But he showed massive courage and thoroughly deserved his bottle of champagne.

"To stick Rob, a young lad, in goal would have been a bit of an ask at senior level. Rob has a big future at the club hopefully. He's a hardworking boy but he's not quite ready for senior level in my opinion.

"I knew on Saturday who I was going to play and it wasn't a difficult decision, but that's not a reflection on what we think of Rob.

"I put Rob on the bench just in case. We got burned at Rushden.

"However unfortunate it was and however many times we will put a goalkeeper on the bench and not use them, I would have been a fool not to have done that this week."