ASWAD Thomas doesn't expect to be asked to play centre-half again – but he'll always be ready, just in case.
The left-back was thrown on after just seven minutes of the midweek victory over Dartford after Ian Miller was forced off, and found himself in the heart of the Mariners' back four.
It's a position that he said he hasn't played 'for years' and candidly admitted he felt it showed in Kent.
But after moving to his more familiar full-back role, the 23-year-old went on to contribute in dramatic fashion.
Three minutes from time, the former Charlton Athletic trainee, popped up at the far post to nod home from a Frankie Artus corner and in doing so, grab his first goal since joining the Mariners.
It turned out to be both the winner, and the goal that sealed Town's place in the play-offs – thanks to Forest Green Rovers defeat to Hereford on the same evening.
"I was delighted to see it go in," he said.
"Obviously, at the time, I didn't know that it was the goal to take us into the play-offs but it was a great feeling when I heard.
"I was over the moon to see it go in – it was long overdue!
"Everyone's been getting on at me about scoring.
"At Dartford, the gaffer was screaming at me to get back but thankfully I got up there and gambled on it.
"I did have a gut feeling that I'd score and so it proved to be."
On his deployment at centre- half, Thomas added: "I always make sure I'm ready to come on – in whatever position.
"I obviously came on in an unfamiliar position and I haven't played there in years – to be honest, I think it showed at times!
"If I can help it, I don't want to be playing centre-half again, although I don't think I will be doing any time soon!
"But in football, things change like that, and you've got to make sure that you're ready to contribute, wherever you're asked to play."
Ahead of tonight's trip to Luton (7.45pm), Thomas insists that there is 'no chance' of Town's players taking their foot off the gas after securing that coveted top five finish.
He continued: "We set out to secure the play-offs and put it to bed early on and we're glad to have done that.
We've got good characters though and no-one will be slacking off now that we've confirmed it.
"We're a good side and when we're at it, we're good enough to take on anyone in this league."
