A MORE composed and tactically astute display saw Newport County secure their first win of the season at the third time of asking on Saturday.

The Exiles were good value for the three points as they shook off the disappointment of their midweek draw with Maidenhead and sent the 1,000- plus crowd home happy.

Against a competent and youthful St Albans it was important for County to play with more control than they did in their opening home game, and they did, keeping the ball with more fluency and using their wingers far more effectively.

The Exiles also took advantage of the dominance that striker Julian Alsop enjoyed over his markers.

Alsop was at the heart of almost everything positive from County and was rightly recognised with the man-of-the-match award.

While the first half was a fairly even affair in which the visitors were extremely unlucky to be two goals adrift, the Exiles were utterly dominant in the second period.

At the back County look much improved from last season, Ian Hillier taking on the mantle of John Brough by barking instructions at his fellow defenders.

Goalkeeper Glyn Thompson now knows he is clearly County's first- choice stopper and he made some quite outstanding saves on Saturday and really earned his clean sheet.

Without playing close to their best Peter Beadle's side have gone three games unbeaten and have only conceded once, an encouraging statistic that speaks for itself.

It was St Albans who made the early running as torrential rain poured down at Spytty Park, a worrying trend with the pitch already looking heavy and uneven.

On six minutes Chris Seeby crossed and Paul Bruce struck past Thompson from close range, but skipper Steve Jenkins cleared the ball off the line.

County began to get into gear after the early scare and goalkeeper Nicky Eyre saved smartly from Alsop on 20 minutes, tipping over his powerful drive.

However, the goalkeeper couldn't repeat the trick four minutes later when the Exiles went in front.

St Albans will feel aggrieved as the goal came from a throw-in that should've been in their favour, but County took full advantage.

Searle's throw was flicked on by Craig Hughes, and Alsop rose majestically to find the top corner of the net, Eyre getting a touch but not getting enough purchase on the ball from a standing start.

The visitors - yet to score this season - were denied an equaliser twice in a matter of seconds moments later - thanks to outstanding stops from Thompson.

Both chances fell to defender Hasim Deen following corner kicks, but his firm left-footed shot and point-blank header were both kept out.

It was a decisive passage of play because on 31 minutes County doubled their advantage.

Sam O'Sullivan collected the ball and charged at St Albans, lashing a low shot from 25 yards which Eyre could only push out to Jason Bowen, who calmly rolled home.

Bowen enjoyed a particularly easy afternoon against St Albans left-back MC' Harvey from rappers So Solid Crew.

Harvey, who was sent off playing for the celebrities at St James Park in Sky One's The Match' was a complete embarrassment.

Out of his depth against Bowen, Harvey spent most of the game whinging to the referee and contesting every decision.

He also got involved in an altercation with Alsop, it was like watching a poodle barking at a bulldog.

Rap stars often receive criticism for confrontational lyrics, so don't be surprised if Harvey's next effort refers to Bowen because he absolutely tortured the singer.

Both Hughes and Bowen saw efforts well saved by Eyre before the interval, and after the break it was a similar story.

Alsop headed inches wide after Bowen beat Harvey three times before crossing sublimely, and Hughes saw a further two efforts saved by Eyre - his first goal of the season is surely just around the corner.

Beadle introduced Charlie Griffin and new boy Lee John for late cameos, and both impressed.

John looked to be settling into life at Spytty Park and he created chances for Alsop, Bowen and Griffin, Bowen coming closest to scoring when he clipped the crossbar five minutes before the end.

A highly satisfactory afternoon for the Exiles, their season is stirring into life.

County: Thompson, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Jarman, Hillier, Bowen, Fowler, Alsop, Hughes (Griffin 79), O'Sullivan (John 79).

Subs not used: Dodds, Collier, Ovendale.

Booked: Fowler (foul, 75).

St Albans: Eyre, Sulamain, Harvey, Beard, Noel, Deen, Seeby, Marwa, Hann (Mackie 70), Clarke, Bruce.

Subs not used: Tegaja, Burrell, Archer, Waite.

Booked: Noel (foul, 15). Referee: Richard Martin (Weston-Super-Mare).

Attendance: 1,006.