DESPITE Michael Smith’s injury guaranteeing himself a place in the starting line-up, Jonathan Obika believes the whole squad feels the pain when one our their own is injured.

Recently, Obika and his strike partner on Saturday, Andy Williams, have had to share one spot with Smith in such hot form. However, Smith’s shoulder injury handed the chance for the pair to start together.

It was an opportunity they did not waste as both got themselves on the scoresheet. Though the opportunity would not have arisen had their 12-goal colleague been available, Obika denied feeling a bit of personal satisfaction when Smith was ruled out.

“I had a shoulder injury and I feel the players together we’re a tight group. When one player falls, we all fall,” said the former Tottenham man when asked on the subject.

On the competition for places he added: “It’s very friendly. We’re all professionals and we always want to give our all when we’re on the pitch. It’s always good when strikers score.

“Every one of us deserves a start and all we can do is, when we are on the pitch, do well, create and score goals.

“It’s always good to play well. You want your performance, your hold-up play, what your manager wants from you, to come out on the day.”

Obika was up against one of the biggest defenders in the league in 6”4 Posh centre-back Ricardo Santos.

The size of his opponent had little impact though as the Town striker held him off to convert Ben Gladwin’s whipped free-kick early on in the second half. It was a goal Obika enjoyed.

“All I remember is Ben Gladwin’s pinpoint ball into the box and I’m happy it fell to me. It’s just good contact into the corner,” Obika explained.

“It was more like I had to hold (Santos) off and put it in the back of the net. .

“Both of the defenders were very physical I thought me and Willo had to be quite clever in and around the penalty box.”