Gray admits Town’s players were getting more frustrated than the fans in Welling win

Town’s steadfast supporters showed plenty of understanding as the Hatters toiled for victory, and two-goal hero Andre Gray admitted the players had been more anxious than the fans.

He admitted: “I think we were getting more frustrated with ourselves than the fans were and I think it might have been the other way around last season. They stuck with us and I think they know anything could come from the quality we’ve got, so I think they know anything can happen at any minute and they stuck behind us until the 90th-minute and luckily I got the goal and we won.”

It was the Hatters’ first home game at Kenilworth Road in almost a month-and-a-half and Gray believes Town are well placed in the title race.

“I think it was a matter of just getting the win really, and luckily I’ve got the winner as well so it’s been a good day,” he continued.

“It’s been a long six weeks and we’ve got a lot of good points out of the games, which maybe last year we might not have ground out.

“But we’re on a roll and I think we’re just creeping behind people now and I think it’s the best place for us at the moment.

“It’s a long old season and this time last year people were saying Grimsby had won the league already and Mansfield were nowhere near it and everyone’s seen what happened to Mansfield and Kidderminster, and the season before last it happened with Fleetwood and Wrexham so it’s a crazy game and as long as we keep as consistent as we are, because I think we are being more realistic with our consistency, we’ll catch them.”

On the day, Gray took both of his goals ever so well, but was twice denied a second Hatters hat-trick late on as keeper Lee Butcher beat him in a foot-race to a through ball and was then barged off as he looked to reach another Luke Guttridge pass.

He said: “I think it was a shoulder to shoulder to try, I was trying get a good touch on it to get a shot away, maybe if I slid I might have got in, but it was a case of trying to get my touch around the keeper and try and get the vital touch to get it in, but it wasn’t to be, but it will come again I hope.

“I was hoping to get my second of the season but it wasn’t to be, but we still won the game and that’s what matters.”

Welling’s reply came through Alex Dyer netting the rebound from a penalty, after Ross Lafayette had seen his penalty saved by Mark Tyler, awarded after Joe Healy had gone down softly in the box.

On the decision, Gray added: “I didn’t really get a good look at it so I don’t know if it’s a penalty or not, but I had a bit a feeling that Tyles (Mark Tyler) was going to save it.

“But it’s easier said than done to stay switched on when someone is taking a penalty and obviously their player’s reacted quicker and he’s got the equaliser. But I think I was always going to get a chance and it was just going to be a matter of taking it and fortunately I did.”