Patrick Hoban thanked boss Michael Appleton and his Oxford United teammates for keeping faith in him after the longest scoring drought of his career came to an end.

The striker had racked up exactly 19 hours on the pitch when he headed Kemar Roofe’s 38th-minute cross into the net during Saturday’s 2-1 win against Carlisle United.

It prompted a passionate celebration from the 23-year-old, signed after scoring 20 goals in Dundalk’s League of Ireland-winning side last year.

Hoban had been praised by players and staff alike for his contribution in other areas, and the Irishman was grateful for their backing during a tough spell.

He said: “I just try to stay positive as best as I can.

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“The lads behind me have done so as well, and the manager has been right behind me. He’s always putting me back on to the pitch, so that helps as well.

“It was a lot of emotion coming out in that celebration.

“That was the longest run ever for me, before that it was only about four games.

“It was quite hard, but when you have guys telling you that I’ve been making a difference that always helps.”

Appleton has remained an enthusiastic supporter of the Irish striker throughout, selecting him for 13 games in a row.

But the United head coach admitted he had given consideration to dropping the striker.

He said: “If I said no I’d be lying, but it would have been a very small percentage.

“It’s not the fact he’s not scored, sometimes that happens whether you’re Pat Hoban or Harry Kane – it will happen to him at some point.

“It’s what he brings to the team in other areas, which has kept him in the side.

“There was a lot of emotion in his celebration from me as well, because I have been feeling for him.

“It’s tough when you’re there to score goals and it’s not happening for you.

“Thankfully he’s off the mark and hopefully that might kick-start him now.”

Hoban echoed Appleton’s thoughts and thinks with the barren run now over it may lead to a change in fortune in front of goal.

He said: “Hopefully I will be taking my chances more cleanly now and things might just be a bit more natural because I have my first goal.

“Strikers feed off goals, it gives them that extra yard and maybe I’ll get that now.”