NEWPORT IoW no longer have the dubious distinction of being the county's lowest-placed team in the Ryman Division 1.

An important, if unconvincing, 2-1 win at rock-bottom Croydon on Saturday has lifted John Linington's fast-improving side to 18th - a point clear of new-look Fleet Town who lost a close contest 2-1 at high-riding Horsham.

Newport's triumph, courtesy of their on-song front two of Ashley Wright and Dave Greening, marked the third consecutive league win for the former table proppers. But result apart, it wasn't a particularly enjoyable afternoon for the Isle of Wight side, who struggled for inspiration in front of a sparse crowd of 68 at the Croydon Sports Arena.

Linington said: "We didn't play that well against a poor Croydon side, but there was no atmosphere. The dressing rooms were out of the dark ages. It was like playing on the local rec and it was a job to keep people going. Croydon are a bit like we were a month ago. They're all workrate and run, run, run. To be honest, I expected us to do better against them."

Having set up the first goal for Wright on 35 minutes, Greening bagged the second himself three minutes into the second half - his tenth goal in 11 games for the club.

Croydon industry was rewarded two minutes from time when Newport's Boo Fletcher was caught trying to shepherd the ball out for a throw-in, allowing Ahmet Akdag to score from Ashley Martin's cross.

New Fleet boss Paul Holden has wasted no time drafting new recruits into the club.

Three players made their debuts at Horsham, including ex-Basingstoke Town, Woking and Walton & Hersham left-sided midfielder Tinoi Christie, who was unlucky not to earn a point after cancelling Florian Mateos's 30th-minute opener. But, with four minutes to go, Jamie Taylor headed Horsham's late winner.

It was rough luck Fleet, who also introduced central defender Jermaine Hines from Carshalton Athletic and Army midfielder Glen Davidson from the Longmoor camp.

Town have also signed cover keeper Alex Hards, son of Winchester City boss Neil.

Secretary John Goodyear reflected: "We were very unlucky. We matched Horsham all the way. I was impressed with the new signings and Paul Holden assures us there's a striker on the way."

Matt Parnell has joined Bashley from AFC Totton after fellow centre-back Danny Potter moved in the opposite direction.

Parnell, a contract player at Testwood Park, has been released on a free transfer by the Sydenhams Wessex League club. His arrival at Bashley helps soften the blow of Potter's shock departure last week when the former Soham Town Rangers centre-back informed manager Geoff Butler he was not enjoying it at the New Forest club.

Parnell, a one-time Gloucester City youngster, was a target of Butler's predecessor John Robson last season but Bashley couldn't afford Totton's asking price.

The Winchester PE teacher has sat out much of this season injured and unavailable, but he made a steady debut in Saturday's 3-0 Ryman Division 1 victory at Banstead Athletic.

Butler reported: "Matt did okay, but I think he found the pace of the game a lot different to what he's been used to. He didn't win as many headers as he or I would have liked him to, but he's very comfortable with the ball at his feet. It'll take time for him to adjust."

With leading marksman Richard Gillespie leaving his shooting boots at home, Bashley got three other names on the scoresheet.

Graeme Gee drew first blood on 47 minutes, heading home Dave Wakefield's corner, and Wakefield soon buried a penalty after Gillespie had been pulled down.

Banstead responded by hitting the bar and drawing an excellent blocked save from Bash keeper Stacey Harper before Danny Gibbons bagged the Foresters' last- minute third.