Newport travelled to Alresford looking to make it two wins from two in the league. On another tricky pitch, the game never really caught fire and it always looked like being a case of who took their chances. Thankfully for the travelling support, it was Newport who did just that.

On the day Connor Kelly made his 300th Port appearance, the opening exchanges were fairly even. Newport had a couple of efforts from the edge of the box which looked to be heading in before being well blocked by home defenders.

At the other end, Brett Denham looked lively for Alresford and probably had the two best chances of the opening period. He sent a header over from a corner before another clever effort from six yards also cleared the bar.

Just as the half looked destined to finish goalless, Newport struck. The ever-industrious Keelan Walsh cut in from the left and drilled the ball into the net to give the Port the lead.

Alresford responded well and Leon Pitman was forced into a good save low to his right to preserve Newport's advantage going into the break.

The second half was equally scrappy and, to be fair, the home side looked the more likely to score. Eventually they did. A poor spell of defending saw Newport fail to clear their lines and Alresford took advantage, equalising from close range.

The rest of the half brought plenty of misplaced passes and numerous substitutions, which eventually contributed to the referee finding 10 minutes of added time. Newport were increasingly looking to hit the hosts on the break.

The winning moment came in the 67th minute. The previously quiet Ji Nash picked up the ball on the right, cut inside and feigned a couple of times as if to pull the trigger. Then, on the ground where he scored four times last season, Nash curled a brilliant effort into the top-left corner to put Newport back in front.

From there, Newport dug in. The Port defended deep and, apart from one late scare from a corner when the ball flew through Leon Pitman's hands following a clever nudge from Denham, they dealt well with Alresford's pressure.

Man of the Match George Holbrook expertly marshalled the back four, ably assisted by Jez Conway, as Newport weathered the home side's wayward shooting and misplaced final passes.

A special mention too for Jordan Browne, whose work rate was outstanding as he ploughed a lone furrow up front for much of the afternoon. His eyes must have lit up when the bundle of energy that is Sonny Myram arrived late on to run the channels and do what he does best – terrorise a tiring back four.

It wasn't always pretty, but Newport found a way to win and make it two league victories from two.

The Port now have a week's rest before hitting the road again next weekend to face new opposition in Hedge End Rangers, who groundshare at Sholing.

It would be brilliant to see the travelling support swelled again as Newport look to continue their unbeaten start.

Alresford Town 1–2 Newport IW

Newport scorers: Keelan Walsh, Ji Nash
Man of the Match: George Holbrook