NEWPORT are only denied top spot in Division 1 of the Sydenham Wessex League after they produced a superb 4-1 win on the road over bottom club Pewsey Vale.

The Islanders sit third on goal difference below Downton and Hythe and Dibden, who have games in hand.

However, East Cowes slumped to another heavy defeat at home, this time, 5-2 to Alton, which has left them a place off the bottom on goal difference.

In the Sydenhams Premier, Cowes Sports were beaten 2-0 at home to Christchurch.

In Division 1 of the Harwoods Island League, Brading Town kept up their 100 per cent, seven-game win record with a 3-1 victory at home to Cowes Sports Reserves.

Cowes went in front from the spot, but came out the better side in the second half.

The title holders, Whitecroft and Barton Sports, beat Binstead & COB by the same scoreline to maintain their impressive unbeaten start to the campaign.

Newly-promoted Carisbrooke United beat last season's Division 2 champions, Bembridge, 4-1 at Clatterford Rec to record their first win of the season, but they remain bottom.

Fellow promoted side Ryde Saints continued their superb recent form by hammering Sandown 7-4 at the Fairway.

                                          TODAY'S RESULTS

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier: Cowes Sports 0, Christchurch 2.
Division 1: East Cowes Vics 2, Alton 5; Pewsey Vale 1, Newport 4.
Harwoods Renault Island League, Division 1: Brading Town 3, Cowes Sports Reserves 1; Carisbrooke United 4, Bembridge 1; Northwood St John 2, Shanklin 3; Pan Sports 1, ECS 2; Sandown 4, Ryde Saints 7; Ventnor 0, West Wight 2; Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3, Binstead & COB 1.
Division 2: Wootton 2, Newport Reserves 4; Niton Community 3, Osborne Coburg 0; Vectis 8, East Cowes Vics Reserves 1; Yarmouth & Calbourne 0, Adgestone 7.
Combination 1: Binstead & COB Reserves 2, Sandown Reserves 3; ECS Reserves 4, Seaview Reserves 0; Shanklin Reserves 0, Brading Town Reserves 4; West Wight Reserves 0, Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 1.
Combination 2: Bembridge Reserves 2, Wootton Reserves 1; Osborne Coburg Reserves 8, Yarmouth & Calbourne Reserves 1.