Alan Judge said a Brentford win was more important to him than scoring two goals as The Bees beat Notts County yesterday afternoon.
Alan hit a brace in the 3-1 win, scoring either side of half time.
It took his Brentford total to five in 16 games but were his first since mid-February.
Alan said the lack of goals had been playing on his mind but he felt he had still been contributing.
He added, however, that he felt he had played below his best in recent games against Coventry City, Rotherham United and Oldham Athletic but was better in the 0-0 draw against Sheffield United on Tuesday and back to his normal level in the County match.
“I was only worried about making sure Brentford got the win,” said Alan, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“If I got goals, that was an added plus.
“I hadn’t scored in eight; I was getting a bit itchy.
“I was lucky to get two.
“I wasn’t worried about not scoring but you want to help the team and it was on my mind.
“I was generally happy with the way I was playing but not with how I played against Coventry, Rotherham and Oldham.
“My form dipped but I played better on Tuesday and was back to my normal self today.”
Brentford had taken a 1-0 lead just past the half hour when Adam Forshaw scored from the penalty spot.
County defender Hayden Hollis was sent off for bringing down Clayton Donaldson to concede the spot kick.
Alan made it two before half time when he picked up an Alan McCormack pass, got away from Hayden Mullins and finished low.
The third came after half time when he followed up after Toumani Diagouraga had seen two shots saved.
“It was a great ball, a great spot by Alan McCormack,” said Alan, describing his first goal.
“My touch took it away from the defender, he slipped and it went in the bottom corner.
“For the second Toumani played a one-two on the edge of the box, his determination got him a shot off.
“Luckily it fell to me.”
Alan said Notts County started the game well but Brentford opened them up when Clayton Donaldson got on to a Tony Craig pass to the win penalty.
He said The Bees had to be patient playing against ten.
“They started well, they were compact,” said Alan.
“We went from side to side trying to find ways to get round them.
“It was a great bit of movement for Clayton and a great ball from Tony.
“The lad was unlucky but it was a penalty.
“This is a hard place to come.
“You can come with four attackers but you have to do a defensive job.
“You have to be patient, pick them off, make them tired and go for an opening.”
The win was Brentford’s first in two weeks.
The Bees had failed to win or score in three straight away games but had picked up two points and Alan said they had taken the positives from the last of that trio, against Sheffield United.
“We took a lot of positives from Tuesday, we were unlucky not to score,” he said.
“We knew we would score eventually.
“Today we got a few.”
Martin O’Neill, who manages the Republic of Ireland international side, was at Griffin Park yesterday.
“It is nice he was here, whatever the reason,” said Alan, who has represented Ireland up to Under-23 level.
“It was nice to put on a performance.
“It wasn't just me; Jonathan Douglas and Alan McCormack were very good too.”
Brentford are second in Sky Bet League One.
They are six points ahead of Rotherham, who are now third, and seven clear of Leyton Orient, who are fourth and have played one game more.
Brentford’s next match is at home to Crawley Town on Tuesday while Rotherham are away to Sheffield United, who are preparing for an FA Cup with Budweiser Semi-Final against Hull City.
“It is another game we have to win,” said Alan.
“Leyton Orient drew but Rotherham are the team to watch.
“They go to Sheffield United on Tuesday, that is a tough place to get a win.
“We played well on Tuesday and couldn’t get one.
“We hope Sheffield United will have a few players playing for a semi-final place.
“We will just worry about us and go from there.
“It won’t be an easy game, Crawley have some good players, we have to be on our game.”
Alan Judge’s full post-match reaction can be seen here by Bees Player subscribers.