TOM King became a world record holder last time Newport County AFC played Cheltenham but a clean sheet is all that the goalkeeper-turned-goalscorer has on his mind this weekend.

The Exiles welcome the title-chasing Robins to Rodney Parade knowing that their play-off destiny will remain in their own hands if they don’t concede.

Sixth-place County will remain in the top seven if they avoid defeat but if they beat the leaders, who secured promotion on Tuesday, then they could even get the job done before the last-day trip to Southend if other results go their way.

The spoils were shared when the sides met at Whaddon Road in January, when King became headline news.

The 26-year-old’s goal-kick caught the wind, bounced over counterpart Josh Griffiths and went in – a fluke that was swiftly recognised as the longest goal in competitive football.

King went viral and conducted a post-match interview live on BBC radio from the County team bus, chatting with presenter Mark Chapman from the toilet to avoid heckling.

“A few of the lads caught wind that I was going on 5 Live, so I was a bit more worried about the background noise. The smell of the bog was an easy one to take for a couple of minutes,” he reflected.

But while others were marvelling at his goal, King was frustrated at the equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Matty Blair shot across him.

“I will be more worried about keeping them out this time! I make no bones about the fact I was disappointed with how their goal went in against us last time,” said King.

“I will be more focused on keeping them ut. The goal was a freak, an anomaly, and I will be looking to keep this run of clean sheets going.”

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King was recalled to the starting line-up after Nick Townsend was at fault for Cambridge’s winner and is yet to concede.

Keeping out Crawley, Exeter and Scunthorpe has helped the Exiles stay in the play-off spots with the stopper taking umbrage at the suggestion that he has had a quiet life.

“It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth to hear it said that I have had nothing to do. With my talking and organisation, I like to be on top of things before they happen,” he said.

“I don’t think that we have been overstretched in the three games that I have been in for and I am happy with that.

“We have done extremely well defensively with three clean sheets on the spin, which is reminiscent of the start of last season when I had just signed.”

It has largely been a campaign of watching on from the side while Townsend has impressed, with his rival’s exploits earning a new two-year deal.

King is out of contract this summer, and is a contender for Wales' squad for the Euros, but helping County to promotion is all that he is concerned with.

“Nothing has been discussed as yet. We will just wait until the end of the season now and I’d just like to focus on my football and let everybody else take care of that stuff,” he said.

And whether it’s earning a new deal or putting himself in the shop window, being a starter is something that took the Wales squad goalkeeper by surprise.

“I will be completely honest, I didn’t expect to be in this position after how well Nick had done,” he admitted.

“I am here now and relishing it, I am enjoying the challenge every week and trying to play with a smile on my face.”

King was brought in for the FA Cup game against Brighton and produced a string of fantastic saves as the Premier League side were taken to penalties.

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However, four starts on the spin were ended by a shaky display at Boundary Park.

“It’s at the gaffer’s discretion. He has made no bones about it that he likes to make changes and freshen things up,” said King.

“Nick has been outstanding all season, some of his performances have been brilliant and he has kept us in games to get us in the position that we are in.

“We don’t pick the team, we’ve just got to do our jobs and I think that we have both done reasonably well when called upon.

“I let my standards slip against Oldham and was taken out of the team after that. Nick was there to pounce and did really well.

“We are both ready to go, we know the standards that we set every day. I learn from him and I’d like to think that he does the same.”

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If King enjoys a strong end to the regular season then County will earn two more fixtures and a shot at Wembley.

The clash against Cheltenham is vital if they are not to be reliant on other results in Southend.

“The game earlier in the season was a tough one. We know their qualities and strengths, we are prepared for that,” said King.

“The feeling in our camp is that Cheltenham are one of the better sides that we have played this year and they fully deserve promotion, congratulations to them for that.

“We know the challenge is going to be tough, but hopefully we do enough to make sure there are another three games to come after next weekend.”