STRIKER Scott Boden is hoping his late goal as a substitute against Wycombe Wanderers is enough to earn him a starting place at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Boden came off the bench to seal the three points at Adams Park and he’s desperate to break into new manager John Sheridan’s first choice starting XI.

The 25-year-old, who was signed from Halifax Town by previous manager Terry Butcher in the summer, is top scorer this season with four of the 11 the Exiles have managed in all competitions.

But he is currently behind Lenell John-Lewis and loan signing Zak Ansah in the pecking order.

“The gaffer knows me inside out because we’ve been together before,” said Boden.

“He knows what I’m about and I’ve just had to bide my time.

“I want to play games so hopefully I’ve done enough. But if it’s not the case I have to come on again and do a job for the team.”

Boden was part of the Chesterfield squad that won League Two under Sheridan in 2011 and he came on as a sub as the Spireites won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley in March 2012.

He believes Tuesday’s shock 2-0 win at Wycombe – the first victory under Sheridan and only the second of the season – can kick start the campaign as the Exiles look to lift themselves off the bottom of League Two.

And he can’t wait to take on local rivals Rovers at the Memorial Ground.

“I think that’s what we’ve needed,” he said after Tuesday’s win.

“In the changing room you could see it straight away – there was a little bit of a lift.

“But we’ve got to obviously keep on now. It’s not enough to stop at that; we’ve got to go again.

“I played at Bristol Rovers last year [with Halifax] and I know they get good crowds there and with it being 40 minutes away [for County fans] I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere.”

County have been allocated 1,100 tickets for Saturday but supporters will not be able to pay on the day as it has been designated as an ‘all-ticket’ game.

Tickets are on sale until Friday from the club but fans must be registered with the Newport County AFC database.