NEWPORT County AFC number one Lenny Pidgeley is confident that the Exiles can beat Scunthorpe United on Saturday if they perform as they did at West Bromwich Albion.

County went down to a 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night as Saido Berahino bagged a hat-trick for the Baggies.

But Pidgeley insists that the Exiles’ battling display against the Premier League boys will give them plenty of confidence when they head to Glanford Park.

“At 3-0 it looks comfortable for them but if we’d taken our chances it could have been a different game,” said Pidgeley.

“We had a lot of possession and our lads looked as comfortable on the ball as the Premier League lads.

“That’s a massive positive for us and if we can bring the same kind of standard to League Two then we won’t come up against the same kind of clinical finishing so it will stand us in good stead.”

And Pidgeley says that the County players are now all focused on the crucial trip to Scunthorpe where they hope to secure their first away win in League Two.

“The West Brom game was a bit of a bonus for us because nobody expected us to beat Brighton,” he said.

“It was a good night for the club and a step in the right direction in the long term.

“We haven’t been rolled over and annihilated or embarrassed and the fans were amazing,” he added.

“It’s great for them to come to Premier League grounds and they were in great spirits. It was a great occasion for everyone and they kept us going in the second half.

“But our bread and butter is the league and my head is on the Scunthorpe game already. We’ve put the West Brom game to bed now and we’ll focus on a massive away game for us.

“If we can get the first away win on the board with two home matches to follow it will be looking pretty good for us,” he added.

“Scunthorpe have been up and down from the Championship to League Two over the last few years so I’ve come across them a few times and it’s not an easy place to go to.

“It’s tough but we know what we’ve got to do. It’s going to be more of a battle with a few more long balls into the box than there was at West Brom. But we’ll be up for it and ready to go.”

Pidgeley is also happy with his own form after his return to the side following an enforced absence due to personal problems.

“I’ve played three games now and I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.

“I could probably do with a few more, maybe five or six, before I’m really at where I want to be but considering I missed pre-season I am feeling pretty sharp.”