Andover Town 0 Newport (IOW) 1.

Newport came away from Andover with all three points thanks to some stout defending and a clinical header from striker Scott Jones. Town welcomed back Matt Scott but were without Jamie Dockree and Michael Dixon who were both injured at Verwood on Wednesday.

Newport’s journey had been difficult with ferry delays and heavy traffic and Andover started the brighter with Scott volleying wide from a Lewis Benson free-kick and Claudio Herbert making room to cross for Tom Riddell who could not convert.

Herbert was again on the ball soon after but Toby McCauley, who hit Wednesday’s winner, was off target.

Newport had their best chance on the half hour when former Havant and Waterlooville man Scott Jones was put through but he shot over then at the other end another Benson free-kick was knocked across by Riddell but nobody was on hand to finish.

Town were looking busy and Olly Yates’ cross was fly hacked to safety by Tom Scovell before he and Lewis Alderman ended the first half cautioned by referee Federico Ardiles, son of Argentina and Spurs legend Ossie.

The visitors gradually fought their way back in and a Jones header flashed over the bar and a Seabrook free-kick was turned around the post by keeper Jake Wellesley-David. Newport started the second half on the front foot and Jones drove in a low cross which Charlie Smeeton just failed to get to.

A Yates header went over the bar but after Riddellwas replaced by Charlie Gunson the deadlock was broken on the hour as a tempting cross from the left was met with a crashing header from Jones which cannoned off the crossbar, down over the goal line and back up into the roof of the net. Jordan O’Donnell and Danny Urry were introduced but the closest they came was in the 81st minute when Gunson’s shot appeared destined for the net but Gary Streeter in Newport’s goal diving to his left turned it round the post. Andover kept Newport under pressure for the remainder of the match, but they saw the clock down to record their first win on their travels this season.

Wellesley-David, Alderman, Aromona, McCauley, Scott, B Benson, Herbert, L Benson, Robertson, Riddell, Yates, Subs used: Gunson, O’Donnell, Urry.