Chris Porter has understandably described the first part of the season as one of frustration as a slight injury over the summer and the form of Mikael Mandron saw the former Sunderland man grab his opportunity with both hands.

The experienced Porter has been used more sparingly as an impact substitute, usually for Mandron, but he still managed to notch goals against Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup and Gillingham in League One when he was handed a rare start.

The former Derby, Sheffield United and Colchester striker was given the nod to partner Mandron for the first time on Tuesday and the front pairing inspired us to a well-deserved 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley.

Now Porter, 37, is hoping to finish the season strongly and play his part in the remaining 16 games.

Ports told Crewealex.net: “It has been frustrating. Obviously I was frustrated with the injury at the start of the season and lost my place a bit but I have been back fit for a while now and not had many opportunities, so I was glad to get one against Accrington and score a goal.

“It is not always easy when the team has done well and it is difficult to change a winning team and all I could do was work as hard as I’ve always done throughout my career and wait for that chance.

“We have been working with a front two over a number of weeks now and I thought me and Mikael worked well together up there. He was big and strong and bullied their centre-half at times and I thought we gave them a hard time as a partnership.

“Sometimes it can take teams by surprise by changing the way we play and I thought we did that against Accrington. I enjoyed it, I always do when I score a goal and the team wins.

“It was similar last season, me and Tom (Lowery) always saw eye-to-eye when it came to assisting each other and he did great again for the goal. He knows where I want it and I got myself into position to take it. “

Next up at Gresty Road is promotion seeking Sunderland. One Porter will be hoping to go again in.

Ports added: “It is another great game to look forward to and Sunderland expect to be up there for the size of the club. They are a big club who really shouldn’t be in League One but they are and it would be a terrific scalp for us if we could get the three points.”