NEWPORT County AFC boss Michael Flynn hailed last-gasp hero Nicky Maynard for coming up with the goods at a vital moment after a tough loan spell with the promotion hopefuls.

The 34-year-old was signed just before the deadline on February 1 from Mansfield, who last week announced that he was being released this summer.

Maynard is a proven goalscorer and the hope was that his arrival would help County find their killer touch to go up automatically from League Two.

However, it hasn’t gone to plan and the poacher had scored just twice – albeit vital winners against Grimsby and Bolton – before the play-off semi-final at Forest Green Rovers.

He was brought off the bench with County trailing 3-2 on aggregate and, like the rest of us, endured a topsy-turvy game.

Maynard wasted two glorious chances in extra time before latching onto Lewis Collins’ through ball in the 119th minute, nipping past goalkeeper Luke McGee and scrambling the ball into the net while losing his footing in the slippery conditions.

Newport Countys Nicky Maynard scores his sides third goal during the Sky Bet League Two semi final, second leg match at The New Lawn Stadium, Nailsworth. Picture date: Sunday May 23, 2021.

Newport County's Nicky Maynard scores his sides third goal during the Sky Bet League Two semi final, second leg match at The New Lawn Stadium, Nailsworth. Picture date: Sunday May 23, 2021.

The goal meant a striker who has failed to hit the heights he has hoped for has done his job in putting the Exiles within sight of promotion by earning a clash with Morecambe at Wembley on Monday.

“It has been tough – he could have been on double figures this season,” said Flynn. “I thought he was going to have a hat-trick at Forest Green but we never do things the easy way.

“I am made up for Nicky because he is a smashing lad. He has come here and really bought into the club, the area and the way we try to do things.

“He has not sulked once when not being in the starting line-up, he has got on with it and that was his just reward.”

Maynard, who hit the bar after his goal, was put in a position to be the last-gasp hero thanks to a Kevin Ellison wonder goal at 3-0, when the Exiles were lacking inspiration.

The 42-year-old has been a fringe figure on the field since arriving on a one-season deal, largely limited to cameos or being an unused substitute, but has been a big figure off it.

Kevin Ellison of Newport County wheels away to celebrate with team mates after scoring goal

Kevin Ellison of Newport County wheels away to celebrate with team mates after scoring goal

Flynn said: “Kev’s never short of a word or two – I was on the pitch consoling one or two of the Forest Green players and he walks past saying ‘that’s right, just save me for the big games, gaffer!’.

“That’s him in a nutshell, he is brilliant and he doesn’t stop, he is constantly on a wind-up and I think that keeps him youthful. He looks after himself, is in fantastic shape and is a credit to himself.”

County enjoyed a Monday or rest before starting the preparations for Morecambe, who made it to Wembley by beating Tranmere 3-2 on aggregate.

"It is going to be a very, very tough game. I said every game would be close in these play-offs because there wasn't much separating the teams," said Flynn.

"Derek Adams has done a fantastic job with Morecambe and it is a game I'm looking forward to. May the best team win."

The Shrimps finished fourth in the table and have punched above their weight through a remarkable season.

County will need to be sharper than they were in Gloucestershire, where they lost their 2-0 first leg lead inside nine minutes.

"We got off to the worst possible start, we knew what to expect and I am not happy with the manner of all four of the goals that we conceded," said Flynn.

"It was very, very unlike us but the character that the players showed [was great], especially after the third went in and one or two were about to drop their heads.

"The way that was finished the game, we looked so much fitter and stronger, and that’s credit to the players and the way they look after themselves."