AFC Totton bowed out of the HSC 4-3 to Newport IoW last night despite a battling second-half performance against the Ryman League side.

The Testwood Park club were 4-1 down at half-time but a stirring second-half performance almost saw them get back on terms.

Assistant manager Sean New sighed: "We just didn't perform in the first half. We paid them far too much respect and left ourselves too much to do."

Dave Greening fired the Islanders in front and Adam Barsdell netted straight from a corner to double their lead.

Hedley Winter pulled a goal back for the home side with a left-footed shot following a melee in the Newport area after 30 minutes, only for Greening and Ashley Wright to put Newport 4-1 up.

A superb 18-yard strike by Scott Bundy after 55 minutes and then a glancing header from Bundy ten minutes later set up a tense final 25 minutes.

Conference high-flyers Aldershot Town fielded eight first-team players as they beat Fareham 3-0 at the Recreation Ground.

"We battled very well but they were very sharp and a good footballing side," reflected Fareham manager Louis Savage. "It wasn't a thrashing and I was pleased with our performance, especially in the second half when we closed them down well."

Horndean boss Mike Benfield was also pleased after watching his Wessex League Division 2 side lose 1-0 to Conference South side Basingstoke Town.

Sergio Torres scored the only goal after 30 minutes and Benfield said: "They were obviously the better side but we did manage to pose a few problems."