Newport County: Nicky Maynard hunts Wembley play-off start

The striker was the toast of the city on Sunday evening when he scored the winner at Forest Green with just two minutes left in extra time of a dramatic League Two play-off semi-final.

It was the high point in a testing loan spell for the 34-year-old, who was signed on February 1 to boost the Exiles' push for automatic promotion.

Maynard scored on debut against Grimsby and slotted a vital goal against Bolton but he has failed to hit the heights and his last seven appearances have come as a substitute.

THRILLER: Nicky Maynard slid in to put County through to Wembley

The 34-year-old hopes that his last-gasp winner at the New Lawn has given manager Michael Flynn food for thought ahead of Monday's final against Morecambe.

"I've had little bits and bobs here," said Maynard. "Lewis Collins and Padraig Amond have been doing really well to warrant the starts, so I've had to wait for my opportunity and hopefully I have given the gaffer something to think about for next week.

"I'm a striker that scores goals, that's my job. I've not scored as many as I would have liked this season but I know when the times comes that I will score more often than not."

"When the team isn't doing well you always think that you're able to make a difference, but the manager makes his choices and it's down to the lads on the pitch to prove they deserve to be on the pitch," he continued.

"Sometimes you don't get the rub of the green or you don't play well and it's down to the subs to make an impact, which thankfully we did."

Nicky Maynard of Newport County takes on Jayden Richardson of Forest Green Rovers

Maynard will feature at Wembley whether as a starter or on the bench before then hunting a new club.

Mansfield announced before the semi-final that they would not be offering the striker a new contract

"I'm a free agent and I'm not only working to get Newport promoted but I am working for my future," admitted well-travelled Maynard, who counts Bristol City, West Ham, Cardiff and Wigan among his former clubs.

"Hopefully that goal at Forest Green has put my name in lights again and I've got one more game to go.

"I've not spoken to the gaffer yet and we will have to wait and see what happens come Monday and what he wants his squad to be. We'll have to wait and see, it's about getting the job done at Wembley first."

Newport County's Nick Maynard celebrates after the Sky Bet League Two semi final, second leg match at The New Lawn Stadium, Nailsworth

Maynard was a Wembley winner with West Ham in 2012, although he didn't get off the bench when the Hammers clinched a Premier League spot by beating Blackpool.

The striker's finish at Gloucestershire earned a repeat and is among the highlights of a long career as a professional.

"It's up there because I have contributed to us going to Wembley. I think it's the best loss that I've ever been involved in," said Maynard, who went up automatically with Bury two years ago.

"It's not finished yet and we've got a lot of work to do before Monday. We've got to knuckle down, work hard and hopefully we can make it easier than we did against Forest Green.

"The best thing is to go up through the play-offs but that is never guaranteed. Hopefully it will be a good day out for us and our families."