LOVE is in the air at Gigg Lane, but it’s that winning feeling that is getting keeper Trevor Carson excited.

Bury’s upturn in form – three wins in their last four matches – has coincided with the birth of two babies and one engagement in the camp.

Both Carson and centre-back Efe Sodje have become fathers this week, while fellow defender Mark Hughes successfully popped the question.

“It’s been a busy couple of days,” said Carson, who helped Bury to their first back-to-back wins of the season – 2-1 at Oldham on Tuesday following on from Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup victory over Exeter at Gigg Lane – either side of a dash to the hospital for the birth of his first child.

“Straight after the game, me and the missus went into hospital and we had a little girl on Sunday morning.

“I have slept about three hours since Saturday – a few Pro-plus tablets got me through the game (at Oldham). Hopefully I can get a bit of rest over the next couple of days, but obviously the win makes it feel a whole lot better.”

Bury’s burgeoning revival under Kevin Blackwell gained real momentum this week as the Gigg Lane outfit booked a home tie against League Two Southend in the second round of the FA Cup and notched up their 12th league point of the season.

They are still second bottom in League One, four points from safety, but are beginning to reel in the clubs above them as they prepare to face struggling Portsmouth at home on Saturday.

“We’re starting to get the winning feeling back, and you can’t beat that in football,” Carson said.

“We’re on a good run – we’ve only lost one in six – so that gives the lads a buzz and makes you feel that bit more confident.

“We’re still not where we want to be in the league but we’re clawing points back every game.”

And the 24-year-old Northern Ireland stopper ensured the Gigg Lane love-in extended to the fans, after almost 750 made the short trip to Oldham.

“They are brilliant – different class,” said Carson. “The lads really appreciate it.

“We recently had back-to-back trips to Crawley and Yeovil and a couple of hundred fans made those journeys.

“It’s outstanding the effort they have been putting in for us and I’d like to thank them for that.

“Hopefully, they will stick by us because it does give the lads that extra five or 10 per cent we need in games.”

The only downside to the win at Oldham was a calf injury picked up by striker David Healy, who now looks set to miss the Portsmouth clash, although Andy Bishop made a timely return to first-team action as a second-half substitute. Sodje will also be available after missing Tuesday’s match through suspension.