Notts County boss Luke Williams was full of praise for defender Geraldo Bajrami following his display off the bench against Eastleigh, having been dropped in midweek.
The 23-year-old started the Magpies' win over Dorking last Saturday but found himself back amongst the substitutes following the return of Aden Baldwin, who had served his two-game suspension.
But with ten second-half minutes gone, the Notts chief was forced to call upon the Albanian to step into the action with his side a goal down against the Spitfires - despite captain Kyle Cameron amongst his reinforcements.
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It was another composed showing from Bajrami, slotting in perfectly alongside Connell Rawlinson and Adam Chicksen as a much-improved second-half display saw them go within a point of leaders Wrexham.
Williams explained after the Dorking game he was looking forward to having a conversation with the defender: "Yeah it was a difficult decision because Baj played so brilliantly then I have to make a really tough decision and I spoke to him of course like I do with all the guys, but he is a man, he is proper.
"He understood no problem and told me he is always ready to go back in, and he went back in and played so incredibly well again when Aden came off.
"Mentally he is a strong guy and we felt like his form was not where it has been earlier in the season - he didn't play terribly but he didn't hit the level, that is not a problem and we spoke about that.
"But when I look into his eyes, I know it's not because he is not taking it seriously or not taking care of himself and I have complete confidence in Baj that he just suffered bad form, like any player.
"He is that player that can make one performance and then he is back and he jumps in for Aden in a tough game and gets to grips with it so quickly and then played brilliantly."
With there seemingly no let up with defensive injuries with Baldwin joining Richard Brindley and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling on the treatment table, Williams was able to provide an encouraging update on the injury sustained by the 25-year-old.
"There is a small problem that thankfully is nothing like we feared it could be," explained Williams.
"We don't expect him to be sidelined for any amount of significant time."
Two goals from Ruben Rodrigues and Macaulay Langstaff not only produced successive comeback victories - but also take their goal tally to 100 goals in all competitions this season.
"Yeah 100 goals and so many from open play is really impressive from the guys," Williams said on reaching the milestone at this early stage of the season.
"We need to keep scoring a lot of goals because it feels like it is getting harder and the teams are so well prepared - this is England and nobody chucks the towel in, no one.
"That is why it is so brilliant to play football in England because it is so ferocious at every level and so we have to keep being ruthless and scoring goals."
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