Watson reacts after saving a penalty in draw at Barrow

Goalkeeper Rory Watson reacted to taking a point on the road at Barrow in midweek.

The 25-year-old was an integral part in the side that claimed a 1-1 draw at the Dunes Hotel Stadium, making a string of fine saves, including a penalty stop, to ensure the Iron went home with something.

Taking after the game to iFollow Iron, he said: “I’d probably say that it was a fair result in the end.

“In the first half, I thought we were really good. Lofty (Ryan Loft) obviously misses the penalty, which is disappointing, but we’ve done really well to go 1-0 up, which I think we deserved on the balance of play. They’ve had a lot of possession, but never really hurt us.

“In the second half, they came at us and we stood up to the challenge, and showed a bit of desire and hunger tonight."

Ollie Banks was the Bluebird denied from the spot by Watson after Tom Pugh was harshly adjudged to have handled inside the area.

Something that goalkeepers don’t do often is stay stood up for penalties, but it was a decision that reaped rewards for the former Hull City shotstopper and, with the scoreline still 1-0 at the time, it did look as though United’s luck was in on the night.

“I thought it could be the night that we could change our season round, and it still can be,” he stated.

“It’s still a good point away from home, but a 1-0 would have been a really good result and performance from the boys.

“Ryan (Simpson, Head of Performance Analysis) gives me all the penalty takers and said that Ollie Banks smashes it. I had a look at him, and his run-up, and I thought he was going to put me in the back of the net.

“I thought I’d just stand up and see what happened. I got my foot to it, and the rest is history. I was off my line, but I knew that I needed to move forward, especially standing still. If he blasted it and I’d got a small touch, it would have gone in, so I’ve managed to get away with a few yards."

That penalty save was one of a string of fine saves, including a couple right before the equaliser from the hosts, while he also kept his side in the game after the scores were levelled.

For Watson though, it was just another night at the office, and one he was pleased to contribute to once more: “That’s my job. Like I’ve said before, it’s what I’m paid to do.

“It’s good that I could help the team get a point. I’m gutted that it’s not three points and a clean sheet, but I’m just happy with a point in the end.”

The message from the goalkeeper is to build on it once more, starting with a home fixture against Crawley Town this weekend.

“We have to build on it again,” he added.

“There are no easy games in this league, but I feel like we have to look at Crawley and look to take three points. We just need to keep working hard. I know more than anyone, if you keep working hard you get your chance, your opportunities and your luck can change. 

“The lads all stuck in together with each other, and it’s a good point away from home."

See much more from Rory Watson on iFollow Iron.