Price’s name was regularly chanted by fans during his triumph over Gawlas.
The 40-year-old has previously been the recipient of boos from the Alexandra Palace crowd, although the former rugby player stated the support from the supporters in attendance gave him a huge lift in the first round.
“What a crowd. I don’t get that all the time, but for the last 12 to 18 months, maybe a little bit longer, the crowd has been fantastic to me,” added Price.
“Just walking on, sometimes you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck standing up.
“I don’t normally get that at Ally Pally, but I was looking forward to it this year, and it showed why. They were right behind me.
“I felt confident in the game, but when the crowd’s behind you, you get that extra 10%.”
Price faces Dutchman Wesley Plaisier in the second round on Sunday, 21 December.