MADS Andersen was delighted to score his first league goal of the season on Saturday and grateful to goalkeeper Harry Isted for bailing him out after an earlier error.

The Barnsley captain headed in the second goal in a 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

The Danish defender scored earlier in the season in the EFL Cup at Leeds United in August but had not netted in the league despite starting every match.

Andersen told the Chronicle: “I am very happy. Finally I have scored. It was a good cross from Bobby (Thomas) and I just needed to put my head into the ball. I have been waiting all season. I have had a few headers when I felt I should do better. At last I have one league goal.”

Earlier, Andersen missed a swerving long ball seconds after half-time at 0-0, with Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie going through on goal but Isted saved.

“I am grateful to Harry. But that’s football sometimes. He (Nigel Lonwijk) kicked a long ball like Cristiano Ronaldo, not even on purpose, and I could not see where it was going. It went past me and Harry made a good save. I am very happy with him. That’s what you need sometimes. That’s why we have a goalkeeper. We have got better and better at helping each other out if we make mistakes.”

The win cut the gap between Barnsley and the top two to eight points, and they have two games in hand on Plymouth.

Andersen said: “Every win at the moment is big. I am not really focusing on who we are playing but that’s just me personally. I let my team-mates and the gaffer check the table. I only know what people are telling.”

But Andersen is enjoying testing himself against the best sides in the league during March.

“Those are the best games. You get a good match. You have to raise your level. It’s great the run we are having because we have to be at our best in every game.”