John Bostock has explained that despite scoring his first goal since 2016, the moment was bittersweet as Notts County fell to defeat to Wrexham at The Racecourse Ground.
The midfielder had given the Magpies the lead on the stroke of half-time, curling a wonderful set-piece beyond the grasp of Ben Foster right in front of the travelling Notts fans.
Goals from Paul Mullin and Jacob Mendy gave Phil Parkinson's side the lead, with captain Kyle Cameron heading the visitors level six minutes later in what was a breathless encounter.
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However, Elliot Lee was able to capitalise on a mistake by Geraldo Bajrami to put the home side back in front, with the drama continuing into the seventh minute of injury time - Cedwyn Scott seeing his penalty saved by Foster in a game not even Hollywood could conjure into a box office hit.
On a day where the National League title was perhaps decided in this remarkable campaign, Bostock explained the feeling amongst his team-mates in the dressing room following full-time, highlighting the importance of his captain with another tough game against Woking this weekend.
"We have a wonderful leader and he encourages us, especially at times when we dominate games and take three points," Bostock told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"He says look guys don't get too high, don't get too low - in football you have to take the rough with the smooth and today we take the rough, we have another game Saturday so we have to lift our heads up and keep going because our goal is still in tact."
The 31-year-old gave the visitors the lead with a goal of the season contender, nestling the ball into the top corner for his first goal since RC Lens' 2-1 win over Stade Brestois in October 2016.
But on reflection of his strike, Bostock explained the moment was bittersweet given the outcome of the contest.
"It's been a while since I've scored - but it's bittersweet.
"I am very happy with the way I hit the ball, and the moment of emotion was incredible, but at the end of the game it's not so sweet, so I give God all of the glory but it would have been even better to come away with the three points.
"It was a big wall, honestly I think everyone in that wall was six three, six four, so I knew if I got it over that I knew I had a chance, but when it left my foot I felt like it was going in.
"We went into half-time feeling really good, we felt like we were in control of the game and we knew that they would come with their wave and we dealt with that well at times, but it's a special atmosphere here and fair play to them."
In this enthralling National League title race, the pendulum swung back in the favour of Wrexham, opening up a three-point gap at the summit while also having a game in hand over the Magpies.
But with three games of the season still to go, Bostock believes that this season may still hold further twists and turns in the remaining games, but insists that this incredible group of players will deserve where they need to be come the end of the campaign.
"Possibly, but football is full of twists and turns and either way, we have to go and make sure that our goal is complete at the end of the season, as champions or at Wembley.
"We have to stay flexible and keep going because the boys, the manager, the staff, and the club have worked incredibly hard to where we are now.
"It's been an incredible season and I don't think we have seen another like it, two teams on 100 points and I am sure at the end of the season will be where we deserve to be."
