YOU would think being part of a play-off final involving Swindon Town would be a new experience for every single member of the current County Ground dressing room.

But, amazingly, one player graced the hallowed turf at Wembley as Swindon beat Leicester for a place in the top flight in 1993.

As a 13-year-old, goalkeeper Phil Smith was part of the pre-match entertainment before the main event, but that was the only time the former Millwall man has appeared at the national stadium.

And having played a starring role in Monday night’s play-off semi-final second leg away at Charlton, which Town won 5-4 on penalties, Smith is relishing the prospect of playing in the biggest game of his career.

“I was a kid in the Harrow Borough football team who did the pre-game skills entertainment for Swindon v Leicester when they went up to the Premier League,” explained the stopper, now 30.

“That was the only time I’ve ever been on the Wembley pitch and I was pretty young.

“But it means the last time I went there Swindon got promoted, so let’s hope that continues!

“We’ll just enjoy this moment and then see what happens next week.

“It will be unbelievable. We’ve been talking about it all year - maybe getting to Wembley and how good it would be to play there.

“But I never really thought that I could get the chance to play in it.”

Smith’s opportunity to be in between the sticks at Wembley has come about following the shoulder injury first choice keeper David Lucas sustained inside the opening 40 seconds at The Valley on Monday.

And the substitute admitted he had a sudden rush to be ready for action.

“I was in the dressing room trying to find my shinpads and getting ready, but couldn’t find them so I was a bit late out,” said Smith.

“As I’m running out Dave Morrison (fitness and conditioning coach) is coming down telling me to get warmed up because Dave (Lucas) is struggling.

“I didn’t even see what happened to him. It was a bit early, but it was just one of those nights. The adrenaline is pumping, everyone is up for it and the team was doing really well. I was just really happy to play my part.”

Meanwhile, Lucas is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be fit to face Millwall in the final next Saturday.

The ex-England Under 21 keeper was due for a scan yesterday on his shoulder, and revealed: “It feels slightly better than I was expecting it to.

“When it happened I felt it straight away, but it was more than just pain. It was the restricted movement too, which was what made me realise I couldn’t carry on.

“We will have to wait and see what the X-ray says, but I’m quite optimistic and fingers crossed it will be good news.”