IT’S been a dream week for Newport County AFC goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley and he’s hoping to end it on a high at Cheltenham today.

The Exiles number one was present at the birth of his second daughter Paige at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday afternoon.

Already wearing his kit, he then raced to Rodney Parade to keep a clean sheet as County beat Braintree Town 1-0 to progress to the second round of the FA Cup.

Pidgeley admits that he hasn’t had much sleep this week but he’s on top of the world and determined to keep the feel good factor going at Whaddon Road as Justin Edinburgh’s men look for a rare win on the road.

“I’m delighted that the baby and mum are safe and healthy and that I managed to sneak off and keep a clean sheet as well,” he said.

“It couldn’t have gone any better really. It was great timing. The wife was getting anxious that I was going to miss the game and she told me to go at one stage.

“We were supposed to report at 5pm but I knew she was very close so I phoned Justin and asked him if I could hang on.

“He told me to just get there when I could and I said I wouldn’t leave it later than 6pm.

“Thankfully she arrived at 5.55pm so I literally had just five minutes with her, cut the umbilical cord and jumped in my car to get to the ground.

“I got there ten minutes before I had to go out to warm up so it was a close call but thankfully I made it and it went well.”

The 29-year-old is expecting a tough game at Cheltenham and is relishing the latest League Two test, despite a few sleepless nights this week.

“I’ve had a couple of days off now and I feel fine, I feel sharp,” he said. “There is a little bit of tiredness but I’m trying to grab siestas when I can and I’ll be raring to go.

“It’s only a short journey and it sounds like we’ve got a decent following going to support us so it should be a good occasion.

“I’m expecting a close game but we’re going there looking to pick up points on the road.”