Smiles all round as Grigg gets his goal

It was one of the easier goals he will score in his career, but Will Grigg was not in the least bit bothered as he ended his 10-game goal-less run at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night,

The on-loan Sunderland striker was in the right place at the right time to convert on the hour mark, poking home Dons' second of the night after Harry Darling, Zak Jules and some Rovers defenders took swipes at Josh McEachran's free-kick into the danger zone.

Grigg could have had two on the night, but for a good save from Anssi Jaakkola in the first half, parrying Grigg's effort into the path of Scott Fraser to score the opener on 16 minutes.

While goals have been in shot supply for him, Grigg's performances of late have drawn praise from his manager and team-mates who felt he was desperately unlucky not to score against Portsmouth, when he saw two cleared off the line. And though it wasn't the prettiest way of getting back on the scoresheet at the Memorial Stadium, Grigg said it was a relief just to find the back of the net again.

"They all count, so to get a nice, easy one was brilliant!" he said. "I was disappointed to miss those chances against Portsmouth. I felt I've been playing OK, but it was time I got a lucky break.

"I appreciate the praise I was getting but I'm a striker and I'm judged on goals. I class myself as a goal-scorer, so going a few games without a goal was disappointing. The performances have been there but I'm really pleased with the goal tonight - I'll take a few more!"

Manager Russell Martin added: "He deserves the goal. We created a lot of chances, got in some good areas, but it was a sign that we score the ugliest one! I'm delighted it fell to him.

"He contributes hugely. There's a lack of ego, he's bought into it, he's really valuable to us. He's a guy we really like, he really suits what we do and he's getting better with every game. He has stepped up, got an assist tonight as well. He got the goal he deserves though."