WHITCHURCH suffered their second defeat in five days as they travelled across a windy Solent to go down by the only goal in a game that was played almost entirely in midfield with neither side able to conjure up any real threat on goal.

Both sides attempted to play passing football but largely cancelled each other out and both goalkeepers had a peaceful afternoon in what was the first home game of the year for the hosts.

Whitchurch had Andover College’s Brendon Norris in goal – Brad Snelling having sustained an injury at Petersfield – while Danny Phillips and Jamie Mansell returned in attack and the opening five minutes of the game took place almost entirely in the middle of the pitch, setting the tone for what was to follow.

The first real threat on goal eventually came after 20 minutes when Matt Evans scuffed a shot and Whitchurch were making little forward progress, though Scott Hassall was only just too high after winning the ball in midfield.

Newport’s superior possession told on the half-hour mark with the goal that was ultimately to decide the game.

Sainsbury, along with Iain Seabrook the heart of Newport’s midfield, split the defence and McInnes was allowed to run on unchallenged and beat the advancing Norris.

The visitors were enjoying some space on their left with Mansell denied by Gary Streetes and a narrow angle and then combining with Josh Harfield only for the latter’s cross to land on the top of the net and the half ended with Streeter saving from Ryan Lambert and a Tom Lockyer effort not too far wide.

The visitors started the second half with Lambert in a more central position and Phillips on the right flank and the latter was wide from distance and then pulled back for a foul after fastening on to a Chris Manning through ball.

Jake Younie collected a caution for a challenge on Adam Pearson before Sainsbury was inches wide from 20 yards.

The visitors were slowly getting into the game, with Lambert too high following a superb crossfield pass from Lockyer before Norris reacted quickly at the other end after a shot took a deflection, but their last hope of a point went as Streetes confidently held on to a dangerous free-kick.

Defensively, Whitchurch were much improved on the performance at Petersfield, but they seem to have momentarily lost their goalscoring touch and will need to rediscover it as soon as possible to ensure the top six finish their season deserves.