JOE ANDERSON returns to the scene of possibly his lowest moment of this season when Lincoln City travel to Rotherham in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tomorrow night.

The defender was culpable for the first goal in the 2-1 defeat on the opening day and that was the prelude to a difficult start to the season for the former Fulham youngster.

He was dropped after the 4-0 Carling Cup drubbing at Leeds, a game which could have led to any number of City stars being axed.

But following injuries to Mustapha Carayol, Scott Kerr and Gavin McCallum, he returned with a vengeance in the 1-0 win at Gillingham and in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Crewe

The 20-year-old has been the subject of fierce criticism from some fans, but was backed by manager Chris Sutton in the week and seems to be getting back to his best.

"I had a bit of a shaky start but I spoke to the manager and he said I would get my chance again as he thought I was a good player," said Anderson.

"I know I can't let my performances slip because Jamie Clapham is a left-back, so if I don't play well, I will be out of the team again. It spurs me on to do well.

"It was difficult at the start of the season because I made a couple of mistakes. I felt I was letting the whole team down and I did not like myself.

"It went to my head but I have managed to get through that and I am enjoying my football again now."

Anderson's resurgence can be partly attributed to the return of assistant manager Ian Pearce, who has filled in admirably at centre-half for the last two games.

The 36-year-old suffers from persistent back pain and is rarely able to train during the week, but his calming influence has not been lost on Anderson.

"We have a good shape to the team with Claps (Jamie Clapham) in front of the defence and Ian in the back four," he said.

"It's good having him next to me, I have played alongside him for a few years now. He has played at a higher level and has been there and done it, so he is good at organising and is a good influence."

The Londoner continued his return to form in the 1-1 draw with Crewe at the weekend and saved the Imps from certain defeat when he cleared Ashley Westwood's fierce effort off the line in the last minute of the game.

"Myself and Clapham were on the line and he moved out of the way but I was in the right spot to clear," said Anderson, who is expected to continue at left-back for the trip to the Don Valley Stadium.

"I had no time to think about it, it was just instinctive and I am happy that we got a draw.

"I think it was a fair result. We had chances before they scored in the first half and then they had some opportunities in the second.

"But we defended well. We played well as a team at Gillingham last week and the clean sheet gave us the confidence going into the Crewe game. Hopefully we can continue our good form at Rotherham tomorrow night."

Anderson could be forgiven for having a few nightmares about the Millers, but the defender goes into the clash satisfied with his form.

He also reserved praise for the man immediately in front of him, Delroy Facey, the striker playing out of position on the left-hand side.

"He is so strong and that gives me the chance to make runs around him and overlap," said Anderson.

"Delroy works hard and is providing a good outlet for the team."

If Anderson is smiling at the end of tomorrow night's game, then he will have gone a long way towards extinguishing the bad memories of that opening-day league defeat.

"Hopefully we can get another result tomorrow. It does not matter what competition it is in, back to back wins are always good for the confidence," he said.

"We played well in the second half at Rotherham and we will want to continue from there."