KEITH Lowe is confident he has given Cheltenham Town boss Mark Yates another selection headache with his performance against Exeter City last Saturday.
Stepping in at right-back for the suspended Sido Jombati, Lowe not only defended well to help the Robins keep a clean sheet, he also scored twice in the resounding 3-0 success.
It was particularly pleasing news for his two younger brothers, who back him to score in every match, but rarely scoop a return on their stakes.
It was the second brace of 27-year-old Lowe's career, the other coming for Port Vale in a 3-1 win over Millwall during a loan spell from Wolves in January 2008.
Having been an automatic choice during the 2010/11 campaign, Lowe lost his starting berth to Jombati last term and the Portuguese sensation succeeded him as supporters' player of the year.
Lowe said he has found his lack of first team opportunities disheartening at times, missing out on the two biggest games of last season having done so much to help Cheltenham set up an FA Cup third round tie against Tottenham and a play-off final against Crewe Alexandra.
"It's been difficult and disheartening at times, but every time I get on the pitch I want to do well for this club," Lowe said. "Every time I am chosen I will give my all."
After the Exeter victory, assistant manager Neil Howarth described Lowe as one of the main reasons Cheltenham have progressed from a side battling relegation to one that look capable of challenging for promotion.
Lowe said: "Every year I've been here we've progressed and we have better players throughout the squad now.
"Look at the players we have who came into the team against Exeter and we beat them 3-0.
"It's great looking at the table and seeing us sitting in a good position and giving the goal difference a boost too."
Of his rare goalscoring exploits, Lowe said he was just as happy with the shut out as he was with his pair of poacher's strikes.
"They were a combined total of about two yards, but someone has to kick them in the goal and luckily it was me," Lowe said.
"I was buzzing for a clean sheet, but the crowd cheered me to go forward to try and get a hat-trick late on and you have to give them what they want so I went up!
"It was a great day for the club with Lawson (D'Ath) and Joe (Hanks) making their debuts and for the fans too.
"I think a win like that has been coming, when you look at the strikers we've got there should be goals in the team, but sometimes it's up to us the help them out and put us ahead."
