WHITCHURCH United's remarkable first season in the top flight continued as, for the second time within a month, they defeated the leaders with the only goal of the game.

On the initial occasion three points were the reward, this time a place in the League Cup semi-final where they will meet Division One giantkillers Petersfield Town on a neutral ground, possibly Winchester City.

Jam Boys boss Jim Macey pronounced himself to be ‘buzzing’ after what was one of the club’s best nights in their long history, adding: “We thoroughly deserved that win and our season just gets better.

'We were without Nic Turpin who was cup tied and Luke Walker who was injured so I put Isaac Sedu and young Shane Lock up front and they did the business.”

Whitchurch were offered a dream start when Lock and defender James Butt both went down in pursuit of a through ball and the referee awarded what looked to be a rather harsh penalty.

Newport will feel justice was done when goalkeeper Gary Streeter dived to his right to save Pa Touray’s spot-kick but they seemingly allowed the decision to rattle them for the rest of the game.

Five minutes later Streeter went from hero to villain as he came out for a through ball, kicked fresh air, and Lock steered the ball into the empty net.

The 'keeper then denied Sedu with his legs before Iain Seabrook was too high at the other end and the visitors had a reasonable penalty appeal for hand ball turned down.

Newport lost full-back Butt with a nasty looking injury after a collision with a fellow defender and when Sedu’s pace took him clear he was foiled again by the advancing Streeter leaving the home side a goal ahead at the break.

A clever Lock pass immediately on the restart offered Sedu a chance but again the burly Streeter was down to block before the same player showed clever control but was too high with his shot.

With Newport enjoying the greater share of possession Seabrook’s shot was deflected over and Smeeton was narrowly wide with a far post header.

Whitchurch replaced Curtis Angell with new signing Tom Lockyer but then gave the ball away in midfield, Tom Hindmarsh could only parry Smeeton’s low cross, but Ryan Oatley sent the loose ball over the bar from the edge of the six yard box.

A neat move between Locke and Dave Asker won the home side a corner and Streeter had to leave his area to deny the speedy Lockyer.

The big 'keeper them moved upfield for a corner at the other end but it was the home side who looked the more threatening at the finish with Sedu shooting wide and then seeing another reffort take a deflection and superbly saved by the goalkeeper.

Newport, despite their share of the possession, could not muster enough threat in front of goal and Whitchurch who moved into the semi-final in the new year.

With the Hampshire Senior Cup tie at Follands approaching Macey will be hoping his side’s confidence continues.

“We never looked like losing tonight and we have learned how to win games now which has made the difference," he said. "Dave Asker rolled back the years tonight and ran himself into the ground and his experience and the youth in the side is working well as the atmosphere at the club is superb.”

Whitchurch will have Turpin back for the game at Portchester on Saturday and the Hampshire Senior Cup tie at Follands Sports on Tuesday, which are another two steps in a stunning season which Macey simply has told his squad to ‘enjoy the moment’.

Elsewhere last night, Hartley Wintney lost 1-0 at home to Westfield, the visitors scoring the only goal of the game in the first half.

The result leaves the village side 14th in the Combined Counties League Premier Division table ahead of trips to Farnham Town and Colliers Wood United in the coming weeks.