Alton Town 1, Newport (IoW) 3

Alton’s ten-game unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Newport on Saturday, as the Brewers succumbed to defeat for the first time since the middle of October.

Alton didn’t help themselves by conceding a sloppy goal within two minutes of the start. Newport’s Lamb crossed the ball toward the edge of the box and Cousins got in front of Matt Graham to head goalward, and rather fortuitously the ball hit Jordan Browne on the back. With home goalkeeper Justin Courtnage and defender Phil Moore leaving it to each other, Jordan Browne reacted quickest to cash in on the confusion and poke the ball home.

And it was a lead that Newport were prepared to defend by whatever means, and with their keeper in fine form it became a frustrating day for Alton.

The goal did at least wake up Alton and Richie Hunter headed Matt Graham’s cross over the bar, while at the other end a shot by Newport was only half saved by Courtnage but their was no-one there from the visitors to latch onto the loose ball.

Alton broke down the right from a Newport free kick but Luke Perkins’ cross was too close to keeper Gary Streeter.

Perkins was then fouled and from the resulting free kick Phil Moore headed wide.

Alton were now on the front foot and cutting through the Newport midfield at will, but all too often the final ball lacked conviction or was intercepted by a Newport defender.

Oli Graham shot wide from a Steve Black corner, Streeter was called into action when he tipped a Liam Knight piledriver over the bar and Perkins got in behind his defender and crashed his shot against the crossbar, only to see Liam Knight fire the rebound over the bar.

A dangerous Knight cross was then sliced backward by a defender and Streeter did well to get back and tip the ball over the crossbar as it looked like it would drop into the far corner.

And a relieved Newport cleared the corner to take their slim lead into halftime.

Newport began the second half brightly but Alton soon took control, with Oli Graham’s free kick straight at the goalkeeper before Alton made a double change with Jack Fowler and Scott Sanderson replacing Black and Hunter.

Moore had two headed chances in quick succession, first his header from Benham’s cross was saved for a corner and then from the corner Streeter collected.

A fine run into the box by Sanderson forced Streeter to concede another corner, from which Moore’s header was again saved.

Sanderson was then fouled on the edge of the area, but the free kick went wide.

Newport keeper Streeter somehow saved Sanderson’s header as he headed back across goal toward the top corner, and somewhat against the run of play Newport scored their second. The ball fell to Jacob Reynolds wide on Alton’s left, he got beyond Graham, ran towards goal and shot past Courtnage at the near post.

The goal deflated Alton and Newport enjoyed a period of possession without threatening a third goal.

Alton had claims for a penalty as Perkins was fouled on the edge of the area by Streeter. Perkins fell outside the area but Streeter remained inside but the referee awarded a free kick a yard outside the box.

With Perkins becoming more influential, he though he had pulled a goal back. He cut inside from the left and was fouled, and as he shot goalward the referee blew his whistle for a free kick. The ball beat Streeter at full length and he couldn’t keep it out, but the advantage wasn’t played.

From the free kick Streeter produced a double save as he kept out Benham’s free kick and was alert to save Bowerman’s follow up shot.

Another block by Streeter from an Oli Graham header drew more frustration before Bowerman wriggled into the box as time was running out, only to be upended and Phil Moore made no mistake from the spot to give Alton hope.

But it was not to be as, with Alton pressing forward, Lewis Wright broke free and gave Courtnage no chance as he restored Newport’s two-goal lead.

Alton will look to bounce back when they travel to face league leaders US Portsmouth on Saturday.

Alton Town: Courtnage, Phillips, M Graham, O Graham, Moore, Evans, Black (Fowler), Benham, Perkins, Knight (Bowerman), Hunter (Sanderson). Subs (not used): Douglas, Bicknell.