Newport captain Joss Labadie pushes for a Wembley start

The midfielder sat out the Exiles' first leg at Rodney Parade because of a serious cut suffered at Southend on the last day of the regular season in League Two.

His teammates won 2-0 and manager Michael Flynn opted not to change a winning team for the return fixture at the New Lawn.

County promptly saw that advantage wiped out after less than nine minutes and then they fell behind in the tie early in the second half.

All's well that ends well.

Substitutes Kevin Ellison and Labadie scored, Jamille Matt responded for Rovers to take the tie to extra time and then Nicky Maynard struck at the death to earn Newport a shot at Morecambe for a place in League One.

Newport County's Joss Labadie (left) and Tom King celebrate after the Sky Bet League Two semi final, second leg match at The New Lawn Stadium, Nailsworth. Picture date: Sunday May 23, 2021.

"I was up screaming, heading every ball and tackling from the sideline," said the skipper, who came on at half-time.

"I knew that at one point I might have the chance to come on and make an impact to help us stay in the tie, thankfully that's what I did."

Labadie gave away the free-kick that led to Nicky Cadden scoring Forest Green's third but Ellison scored a cracker – "It was a great cross by Kev to be fair…" – and then the captain put County in front.

It was a goal similar to the opener at Colchester, with the midfielder sweeping home a ball from the left flank.

"It was a great run by Ryan Haynes and a great ball," said Labadie. "I am onto him all the time to cut the ball back because the box gets congested and I try to make late runs. I connected well and was thankful it went in."

23.05.21 - Forest Green Rovers v Newport County - SkyBet League Two Play off Semi-Final, Second Leg - Joss Labadie of Newport County wheels away to celebrate after scoring the second goal

That effort was the sort of moment that is likely to lead to a recall to the starting line-up for Labadie at Wembley.

County are back to business after the New Lawn celebrations – which featured another Joe Ledley dance – with the focus on avoiding a repeat of 2019.

A core of the squad have the experience of the high of a dramatic semi-final win, against Mansfield on penalties two years ago, followed by a big build-up to a winner-takes-all clash at Wembley.

After being controversially beaten by Tranmere in 2019, Labadie hopes to be lifting a trophy in front of 4,000 County supporters.

"These are exciting times," said the 30-year-old. "Morecambe are there on merit, as we are, and I am sure it will be a really good game for the neutral.

"We have to regroup after Forest Green and it's work as normal. We need to be on it until the 31st and we can't wait.

"It will be like any other week. We will prepare in the right manner for the game and all the boys are excited, we just can't wait to get out there again and hopefully make it second time lucky.

"These are the games that you want to be part of and we are looking forward to the challenge. We will do absolutely everything in our power to achieve the end goal of promotion."