EXPECTANT Newport County fans staged a mini-invasion of sunny Havant on Saturday but saw their day spoiled by a Dean Holdsworth strike inside seven minutes.

It was a harsh outcome for Peter Nicholas' side as their second-half onslaught merited at least a point and the hosts have already used one of their get-out-of-jail cards for the season.

Even so, County made an awful start to the match, and new-look Havant threatened to run riot, with youngster Neil Passmore being swamped by Holdsworth and Jason Chewins.

It was a difficult introduction for the Academy graduate, and he was pulled from the fray after only 23 minutes, but by then County were already behind.

Holdsworth sliced through the County rearguard and won a corner kick, and from the cross goalkeeper Roger Freestone made a complete hash of things.

The giant stopper is a commanding figure, and when he gave out his accustomed roar to come and collect the corner it was a major surprise to see him spill the ball 12 yards out.

This allowed James Taylor to hook the ball over his shoulder and on to the head of Holdsworth, who promptly nodded it into the net.

Havant were looking very slick indeed inside the opening quarter, and by contrast County were being sliced open at will by Holdsworth and co.

But slowly County began to get a foothold in the match, and Jamie Moralee, Scott Morgan and Carl Wilson-Denis all came close with headers before the break.

The second period saw County on the offensive despite the blow of losing Jason Bowen to a hamstring injury just four minutes after the re-start.

Gethyn Jones took his place and the youngster made an instant impact, firing inches wide of the post.

County skipper Scott Young almost broke through but was beaten to the ball by Havant 'keeper Gareth Howells, who was unceremoniously put up in the air by the former Cardiff favourite.

Young may not be fully fit as yet, and was caught out a couple of times in the first half, but the big midfielder is certainly an inspirational character.

He went eyeball to eyeball with the Havant stopper after the challenge, and the spat seemed to give the rest of the County players the lift to really engage into battle.

From that point it was one-way traffic towards the Havant goal, and Young sent a header agonisingly just past the post, and Wilson-Denis also went close.

Havant served a couple of reminders, with Holdsworth chipping just wide, and Kevin Aherne-Evans had to hook the ball off the line, but the flow was heading in the other direction.

Roared on by several hundred travelling supporters County were banging on the door but just lacking a bit of composure, and then right at the death they passed up a glorious chance to grab a point.

Darren Jones, who recovered from a shaky start to put in a strong performance, slipped a low cross that sneaked to the back post where Young was creeping in, and picked up the ball with only the 'keeper to beat.

But the midfielder's shot cannoned off the advancing goalkeeper's legs. Young was left holding his head in his hands and County were left to wonder how they had managed to put in so much and end up with nothing.

Havant and Waterlooville: G Howells, A Masson, J Chewins, N Champion, T Jordan, N Sharp, D Town, G Pitcher, D Holdsworth (J Ford 86), J Taylor, G Holligan (L Byles 61). Subs: J Campbell, D Blake, A Poyser.

Newport County: R Freestone, N Passmore (K Aherne-Evans 23), L Phillips, N Davies, D Jones, S Morgan, J Bowen (G Jones 49), S Young, J Moralee, C Wilson-Denis (O Sullivan 80) J Coates. Subs: A Thomas, A Williams. Referee: Clive Penton (Brighton) Attendance: 696.