ANDREW Smith scored the only goal of the game on Saturday as Monmouth Town overcame league leaders Newport Civil Service to open up the title race in Gwent County League Division Two.

Three days earlier, the Kingfishers saw off Cromwell at Chippenham Sports Ground by a narrow 2-1 scoreline. And Smith's penalty on Saturday put Monmouth just seven points behind Newport even before Monday's return game at Cromwell.

Smith said: "Against Cromwell last time round we were 2-0 up in the first half after goals from Matthew Bowen and Andrew Rogers, then they scored with about 15 minutes to go which made it a bit nervey. "It was a very scrappy, physical game but we held on. It was a good result for us."

The three points meant the Kingfishers' fate remained in their own hands - with a win against Newport Civil Service crucial to their title prospects. And when Matthew Bowen was brought down in the box, player manager Smith coolly put the penalty away with an hour gone.

Again, Monmouth were holding on to a narrow win by the end - something almost alien to them, having recently run out easy winners against all-comers.

Newport hit the bar in the dying minutes, but the result saw Town pick-up their tenth win in a row.