FORMER Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall says helping Newport County AFC to beat the drop would mean much more to him than playing in the Champions League for the Gunners.

Randall played alongside William Gallas, Welsh star Aaron Ramsey and a 16-year-old Jack Wilshere for Arsene Wenger’s men in Porto back in December 2008 – one of 13 appearances he made for the Premier League giants.

But the 27-year-old insists that experience will not compare to keeping County in League Two.

“This is a lot more important because this is our lives,” he said.

“The Champions League was a long time ago, I was young and its nothing compared to this. This is massive.”

Randall, who joined the Exiles on a two-year deal last summer, did not think he’d get the chance to help in the survival bid after he was jettisoned by previous manager Graham Westley in January and he requested a transfer.

But he’s been welcomed back by caretaker boss Michael Flynn and has played a big part in the recent run of six wins in 10 games.

Randall’s shot was bundled over the line by striker Ryan Bird on Saturday as County beat Accrington Stanley 1-0 to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since November.

And he’s delighted to be back in the thick of the action, even if he was denied a third goal of the season.

South Wales Argus:

“At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter who scored,” he told the Argus.

“That is probably the biggest three points of the season for us. Credit to the boys and all the fans – it’s the best result of the season.

“We always seem to do it 1-0 and our defence has been rock solid recently apart from the Plymouth game.

“We brushed that off and came back and showed everybody what we can do “If it was any other team that we lost 6-1 to then it would have been different but we’ve forgotten about it and showed everyone that we are confident of staying up.

“I honestly believe we can do it now.”

The Exiles are two points above the drop zone with two games to play – at Carlisle United this weekend and at home to Notts County on May 6.

“We’ll take it game by game,” said Randall. “It would be nice to get it done on Saturday but we’ll just focus on what we’ve got to do.”

On his own performance, which was rapturously applauded by the fans at Rodney Parade on Saturday, he added: “I don’t know if it deserved a standing ovation but I’m happy to be back and help out all the boys.

“Six weeks ago I was at home with my feet up and trying to keep fit but football is a strange game and it changes quickly.

“I’m happy to be back and I will give it my all in the next two games.”