Cheltenham Town 1-1 Newport County: Exiles keeper King scores in League Two draw

Tom King's goal was the first from a goalkeeper in the EFL since Barry Roche for Morecambe against Portsmouth in February 2016

Newport County goalkeeper Tom King scored the first goal of his career as the Exiles drew 1-1 away at Cheltenham Town.

The 25-year-old's goal-kick was picked up in the wind before Robins goalkeeper Josh Griffiths was caught out by the bounce as the ball sailed into the net.

Newport players ran all the way back into their own penalty area to celebrate with King, who was included in Wales' international squad for the first time in November 2019.

Stunned by the goal the Cheltenham players appeared to appeal to officials, but after a quick discussion between the referee Peter Wright and the fourth official the goal was given.

King was then forced into more familiar action, as he denied Alfie May and Finn Azaz at the other end of the pitch.

But the County goalkeeper could not prevent Matty Blair from levelling the score late in the first half from a tight angle.

In a less-eventful second half, Cheltenham's Ellis Chapman came closest to finding a winner when his free-kick grazed the top of the Newport crossbar.

But neither side were able to find a second goal, as Newport missed the opportunity to return to the top of League Two.

A point keeps Cheltenham in the play-off places in sixth, two points behind the automatic promotion places.

"It's the first goal I've scored at professional level, I'd like to say I saw him off his line but no," King told Radio 5 Live Sport.

"Luckily it went in, but we were looking for the three points tonight not just the one.

"It's taken a lot of people by surprise, I didn't even know how to celebrate really, and I apologised to the other goalkeeper [Josh Griffiths] after the game.

"It almost happened to me last season against Morecambe, it's not nice to be on the other end of it."