Striker Stevie May was happy to be back out on the pitch in competitive action after a year out with a serious knee injury.
May has been on the long road to recovery over the past 12 months but took a step closer to his return after playing 70 minutes in the Lancashire Senior Cup game against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night.
Speaking of his return to action, May said: "It was good, it's been a long time coming now but in terms of the injury and what happened I have made quite good time.
"We are pretty much bang on schedule, if not a little bit ahead so it feels good to be back out there.
"It was a tough game for us, they played well, but for me the most important thing was getting through and getting a bit of fitness out of it which I've done.
"In training and in the training games, if that's a 50/50 or something, everyone kind of goes in a bit easier or let it off but to get out there against good opposition it's good to be back in the mix and I can't wait to get back our there again.
May got through 70 minutes in his first start for almost a year and was pleased with the amount of time he spent out on the pitch and almost topped off the night with a goal or two.
"I knew I was starting but I assumed that just after half-time I would come off but I would have stayed on even longer if I could have. It's been that long that you just want to be out there as long as you can and make the most of it.
"The first ten minutes I was blowing a bit but you get your second wind and I enjoyed it.
"There was a chance in the first half that the 'keeper saved, I thought I was going to get an easy tap in but he managed to turn it around the post and he did very well.
"Hitting the post was another one but as I say minutes is the most important thing for me just now.
Despite making good progress in recent weeks, May won't be rushing back to first team football, and will be making sure he is fully ready before making his comeback in the Championship but he can't wait for that day to come.
"I will be stiff on Thursday that's for sure but we've got a physio team and managerial staff here that will take care of me and they will know probably even better than I will what I need to do.
"They have been there with players before who have been through similar injuries so I don't want to rush anything, just take my time and make sure everything is right and go from there.
"It's been a waiting game for me, there's been a lot of hard work but it all pays off and it's worth it when you get out there, when you're in the changing room before the game you just get that feeling back that you've not had.
"You're used to wearing your suit in the changing room and going round and shaking everyone's hand but then you get to be a part of all of that again now which is something that I have looked forward to for a long time."
You can watch the interview with Stevie on PNE PlayerHD by clicking on the video below.