NEWPORT IoW are up to second in the Sydenhams Premier Division heading into tonight’s home game against AFC Portchester.

Steve Brougham’s men quickly recovered from their midweek Hampshire FA Senior Cup mauling by Cowes Sports to see off ten-man Alresford Town 5-1 at Arlebury Park.

The Islanders were almost caught out in the very first minute when they lost possession and Scott Hill’s 25-yarder for Alresford cannoned off the post.

A Tom McInnes header and an Iain Seabrook free-kick put Newport in command before Simon Everett halved the deficit with 37 minutes gone.

But any chance of the Magpies making further inroads disappeared when their ’keeper Jarid Hixon, already booked for a foul on Matt Evans, was given his marching order for bringing down the same player outside the box, leaving versatile striker Hills to stand in. Seabrook hit the post with the subsequent free kick but quickly atoned by striking twice more to complete his hat-trick.

Hills pulled off a blinding save to deny Aidan Sainsbury before Evans who crowned victory late on.

For Alresford, playing their first home league match of the season, it was an afternoon when everything conspired against them.

Liam Magee aggravated an ankle injury in the warm-up and was replaced at short notice by Hills. Craig Bryant struggled through, also with an ankle problem, and Joe Griggs pulled a hamstring, leaving the Magpies to play out the closing minutes with nine men.

Alresford travel to Tadley Calleva tonight in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup.