NEWPORT County AFC midfielder Max Porter is relishing the club’s fantastic start to the season but he knows they are in for another tough test tomorrow.

The Exiles travel to Braintree Town on the back of three successive wins in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

But Essex boy Porter insists they will have to work hard to stay top of the table on his home turf.

“Three wins is a good start but that is all it is – a start,” said Porter.

“The players are enjoying it but we won’t be getting carried away. We know we’ve got to earn the right to succeed.

“We went to a big ex-Football League club like Mansfield and won and it’s another test this weekend.

“We’ve got to go to places like Braintree and show we can work hard and beat the less fancied teams as well.”

One big factor that Justin Edinburgh’s side have in their favour is the fervent travelling support cheering them on.

“The support at Rodney Parade has been incredible and the atmosphere is much better than at Spytty Park,” said Porter.

“And the fans on the road are superb as well.

“My mum Kay drove up to Mansfield,” he added.

“She said the Newport fans were unbelievable the numbers that travel and the noise they make.

“She’s my number one fan and she’ll be there on Saturday. This one’s a bit closer, it’s almost like a home game for me.”

Porter is one of the few players remaining from the County side that finished last season in 19th place in the table and he believes that the fans are starting to see the best of him now.

“When I first arrived I was short of fitness because I was coming back from an ankle injury,” he explained.

“I’m fully fit now and I’ve had a good pre-season so I feel in the best shape of my life but I’m just concentrating on getting three points for the team every game.

“As long as I’m working with people who I know and who trust me I’m happy and I’m really starting to enjoy my football again.”

The 25-year-old played under Edinburgh at Rushden and Diamonds alongside new teammates Jefferson Louis and Aaron O’Connor and says their arrival has been a big boost.

“I knew Aaron and Jefferson would give us more of a threat up front this year,” he added.

“And Danny Crow hasn’t scored yet but he’s a great finisher and a provider as well. I think we’ve got a good mix in attack and across the pitch.”