Southend United goalkeeper Dan Bentley has heaped praise on his team-mates after keeping a record-breaking 11th consecutive home clean sheet.
The Blues kept Newport County at bay by winning 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of an automatic promotion place in Sky Bet League 2 and, in doing so, stopper Bentley broke Mervyn Cawston's 34-year-old record.Bentley hasn't conceded a league goal at Roots Hall since 25th October, when Craig Jones equalised for Bury, and that's one of only five he's let in at home all season.
Southend went on to clinch the Division Four title when Cawston kept 10 successive home clean sheets in 1980/81 and, although they won't secure the Sky Bet League 2 crown this term, Phil Brown's men are assured of at least a Play-Off place and Bentley says promotion is the aim.
“Each individual involved deserves a pat on the back as well. It's a team achievement, not just me,” the 21-year-old told the club's official website.
“It's not really sunk in yet. Saturday was special in itself and to be mentioned with people like Mervyn [Cawston] is humbling and a real honour.
“If someone goes on to break it then that's fantastic. If people remember me in 30 years time then I'll have done something right. I said I didn't want to come out and break the record. I set out to win games and to help the club get promotion - that's the aim.
“We have to keep getting three points, keep pushing, keep keeping clean sheets and whatever will be, will be. We have to keep pressing on now.
“We're prepared. All games are as big as each other. This is where it matters.”
News: If you missed what went on last night, @dan_bentley1 broke a record, as Blues won again - our fourth in a row. pic.twitter.com/FRBASZWTnA
— Southend United (@SUFCRootsHall) April 15, 2015