NEWPORT County AFC goal hero George Nurse is determined to impress in tomorrow night’s Leasing.com Trophy tie against Exeter City as he targets a starting spot in League Two.

The super sub sank Carlisle United with a stunning strike to secure all three points in the 96th-minute on Saturday and lift the Exiles to third in the table.

It was a special moment for Nurse as he celebrated his first goal in the English Football League and a vital victory for County.

“It’s every sub’s dream to come off the bench and score the winner and I’m delighted,” said the 20-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Championship club Bristol City.

“I don’t think I’ve ever scored a goal as good as that and I’ll be watching the video a few times.

“It was a good finish. I was thinking about crossing it but I thought ‘no, I’m just going to go for it’ and luckily it paid off.”

The goal comes after a frustrating few months for Nurse, who has had to watch Ryan Haynes excel at left-back and left wing-back while he’s struggled with niggling injuries.

His only start to date came in the Carabao Cup at Gillingham in August and he has made just three appearances in total in competitive matches since joining in July.

“Ryan’s a good player, he’s been playing well and it’s good competition for me,” said Nurse.

“I’ve just come back from injury and I know I’ve got to bide my time.

“But I’ve given the gaffer something to think about and hopefully he will give me more of a chance now and I can keep doing what I’m doing.”

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The EFL Trophy is a much-derided competition, but it could provide Nurse with another opportunity to shine.

“It would be a good chance for me to get a run-out,” he said.

“For the boys that aren’t getting many minutes, it’s a good opportunity to showcase what we can do and impress the gaffer.”

And Nurse believes that he and Haynes could even play together on the left flank if given the chance.

“I think it would be a good partnership,” said the Robins youngster.

“Obviously, formations play a role, but I think me and Ryan could work out well down the left side.

“But we’ll have to wait and see what the gaffer wants to do.

“I’ve played everywhere in my career, but I started out as a winger and I do prefer playing on the left wing.”

County midfielder Josh Sheehan was named as the official man of the match against Carlisle, but he was more than happy for Nurse to steal the headlines.

“I don’t think he’ll ever forget that moment,” Sheehan told iFollow Exiles.

“The place went berserk, didn’t it? The noise level went so loud and then at the final whistle, you could tell how much it meant to all the fans and shows that we’re on our way to where we want to be.

“It’s a great feeling when you score that last-minute winner. It was just the timing, Nursey getting his first league goal is unbelievable.

“There’s nothing worse than when you concede a last-minute goal. When you score it, it’s one of the best feelings.”

Read more: Newport County ace Josh Sheehan relishing League Two rest after Exeter City test