DAVID THOMPSON hailed his stunning strike in against CSKA Sofia as the best goal of his career as he reflected on Rovers' passage into the UEFA Cup second round.

Thompson settled the visitors' nerves with a thunderous 30-yard volley to take his tally to three goals in six games since his £1.5 million move from Coventry.

And each one of those strikes has come from outside the box to underline his special talent for shooting from distance.

His effort was easily his best in a Rovers shirt so far and it will take pride of place in his personal collection.

"That's probably the best goal I've ever scored," said Thompson.

"I scored some pretty good ones for Coventry last season but that was the best one.

"It came at an important time and I've never scored a volley like that before."

Thompson conjured up his piece of magic to stun a hostile home crowd into silence and he revelled in the general atmosphere on the night.

"It was pretty hostile but to be fair I really enjoyed it," he said.

"It wasn't intimidating as far as I was concerned, it was just the kind of atmosphere you enjoy playing in."

"I nearly got hit by a flare at one point and there was some water thrown as well but on the whole they were generally quite good with me."

Thompson also felt the referee got it right when he showed Velziar Dimitrov a red card for pushing him in the chest in the closing stages.

"It was definitely a bookable offence so he got the decision right because the lad had to go."