SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley insists beating Newport County rather than setting a new club record is his main target at Roots Hall tonight.

The Wickford based 21-year-old could become the first ever Shrimpers shot-stopper to secure 11 home clean sheets in succession if he can shut out at the Welshmen at Roots Hall.

But Bentley is only interested in helping Blues maintain their push for promotion.

“I’m not going out to break the clean sheet record tonight I’m going out to get a clean sheet to help us get three points in another important game,” stressed Bentley.

“It’s all well and good getting stuck up on clean sheets but for me it’s about winning games and going for automatic promotion.

“I would much prefer promotion than breaking the record because I want to help us get promotion.

“This club shouldn’t be in League Two, I certainly don’t want to be in League Two and I doubt any of the lads do so we need to do well in the matches we have left, starting with Newport.”

Southend head into the game sitting fifth in the League Two table, five points below third placed Wycombe Wanderers who occupy the final automatic promotion position.

Blues also have a game in hand on the Chairboys and will head into tonight’s clash in good spirits after beating Tranmere Rovers 1-0 on Saturday.

The narrow victory saw Bentley equal Mervyn Cawston’s club record with a 10th consecutive clean sheet.

And the former Bromford School pupil feels the whole team should be proud of the achievement.

“It’s fantastic not just me but for the whole club and everyone involved,” said Bentley.

“It’s not just me who should take the credit for it because so many people have played a part in it.

“But Saturday was certainly a special day.”

Bentley was also watched from the stands by the legendary Cawston, who set the record during the 1980/81 season.

And Bentley is also pleased the 63-year-old is now receiving the recognition he deserves.

“There’s so much press and attention on things these days but Mervyn never really got much recognition back then,” said Bentley.

“He actually said to me that nothing was made of it when he got the 10 clean sheets, it was just well done and see you later.

“I’m glad he’s getting some recognition now, even if it is 34 years later and for me to be mentioned alongside him is a huge honour because I know he’s a legendary goalkeeper here.”

Bentley needs to go 67 minutes without conceding a goal to secure the best ever run between the sticks at Roots Hall.

And he is also confident of coming out on top tonight, despite Blues’ recent bad record against Newport.

“There’s always been this thing where people have said we have a hoodoo against a certain team or that we never win on Tuesday nights but that’s all an absolute load of rubbish,” said Bentley.

“For me we need to be positive, we’re in good form, we’ve kept four clean sheets in a row and we’ve lost once in nine games so I’d rather think about those statistics.”