NEWPORT County AFC captain David Pipe says the fans must take a huge amount of credit for the club’s perfect start to the season.

A bumper crowd of 3,022 cheered County on to a 2-1 victory over Lincoln City on Saturday, their third successive win in the league.

And Argus player of the year Pipe says the support from the stands at Rodney Parade has been a key factor in the Exiles sitting on top of the Blue Square Bet Premier.

“The support has been great all season,” said the former Wales international.

“There were 300 at Mansfield and it sounded like 700. We had a big crowd against Nuneaton and bigger again against Lincoln.

“If the crowd is loud it gives all the players a boost. Coming out of the dressing room you can feel it and for me it gives me a lift and that’s why we’ve started so well.”

Justin Edinburgh’s side travel to Braintree on Saturday looking to extend their 100 per cent record and if they can do that they will be hoping to attract close to 4,000 fans for the visit of near neighbours Hereford United a week today.

“We’re excited but we’ll keep the same attitude – the next game is always the most important,” said Pipe.

“Braintree lost (3-0 at AFC Telford) so we’ll look to go there and turn the screw a little bit on them and make our position that much better.”

The skipper believes that Lincoln’s second half fight back will benefit County in the long run, particularly as they held on for three more points.

“I’m glad we had that little test because it shows we can see a game out,” he said.

“Last year we had a few situations like that and we lost games like that where we had our backs to the wall.

“You strive for perfection but you’re never going to get that. The second half was a little bit of a reality check but we came through it well and that will help us.

“I’ve played for 10 years now and I know it takes a lot of mental strength,” he added.

“We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves but confidence is huge.

“We started sharply again (against Lincoln) and forced them into mistakes and we know we’re good enough to punish teams with people like Aaron (O’Connor), who’s been on fire.

“You give him a chance and he’ll take it. And we’re defending well as a team so things are looking bright.”

Pipe admits that if any of his teammates do become complacent he’s just the man to snap them out of it.

“It doesn’t matter how old they are, as captain if they need talking to I’ll tell what they need to be told,” he said.

“I keep the same attitude to keep the boys on it even at 4-0 up and that’s probably why the gaffer chose me (as captain).”