Joe Day has become a father to twin girls after famously dashing off the pitch following Newport County’s FA Cup victory over Middlesbrough.

The Exiles keeper discovered on his way to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital that wife Lizzie had given birth to baby girls Sophia Grace and Emelia Lillie as he was helping County set up a dream fifth-round tie against Premier League champions Manchester City.

Day said: “We always knew there was a chance the birth would fall during the match, but Lizzie backed me and made it an easy decision for me to play the game.

“Nothing was really happening at midday on Tuesday, but as I was driving to the game Lizzie called me to say that her waters had gone. I got to the ground when she was being taken to the labour ward but she told me to concentrate on the game.

“I didn’t know the girls had been born when I ran off the pitch at the end. Until I got into my car and called Lizzie I didn’t know what was going on as we’d had no contact since before the game, but Lizzie told me that there was two little girls and they were perfect and waiting for me to arrive at the hospital – and we’ve been here ever since.”

Lizzie, who was kept up to date with news of the football game during labour, said: “Joe turned up for the nice bit to have cuddles! We’re absolutely over the moon and the midwives have been so good with me. The care here at the Royal Gwent Hospital has been amazing – with Joe not being here, they couldn’t have looked after me more.”

Day added: “All the staff at the Royal Gwent have been outstanding during this whole pregnancy right to the very end. We can’t thank them enough and they made Lizzie feel very comfortable and made me feel better for not being there.

“The whole evening was a bit surreal. To beat Middlesborough 2-0, to get through to play Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA cup, playing the game, winning, two twins being born – I’m feeling very lucky and proud of Lizzie!”