Newport burst Bashley's bubble 2-0 at the Recreation Ground thanks to an outstanding performance by Forest 'reject' Simon Arthur, who switched to the Islanders last week.

The former English Colleges keeper held strong under a barrage of Bashley pressure at the start of each half and even Bash assistant manager Ricky Haysom admitted: "That lad had a point to prove.

"The early save he made from an Andy Culliford volley was fit for television. We all stood up thinking it was a goal, but somehow Simon turned it round."

Having soaked up Bashley's early pressure, the Islanders took the lead through Lee Chudy's first goal for the club.

According to Island boss Steve Tate, Arthur, left, spent much of the second half calmly collecting hopeful long balls into the box before Gareth Keeping smashed home Newport's second from a corner.

The result was just what the doctor ordered for Tate after a disappointing 4-0 surrender at King's Lynn on Saturday.

He said: "I asked the players whether they had the guts to respond and they gave me a tremendous performance. It was easy."

Haysom, who is keeping the Bash seat warm for new boss John Robson, said: "We didn't deserve to lose that game, but if you can't score, you can't win.

"Tatey said to me that they had weathered a storm before getting their second goal, but it was more like a hurricane."