The Magpies recorded a first win of the 24/25 season with a well deserved three points against Gloucester City at The Avenue this afternoon.
Luke Pardoe's 42nd minute strike was the match-winning goal, with the Magpies also keeping a first clean sheet of the season despite being reduced to 10-men in the second half.
Boss Tom Killick returned to the dugout for his first game of the season, and his team showed two changes as well as a change in formation from last weekend as Gerard Benfield back was from injury in goal while Wes Fogden also came into midfield after missing out at Basingstoke.
In a bright first half display with several chances, Pardoe had the first opportunity on just 4 minutes, firing over from Olaf Koszela's cut back.
The lively Fogden then went close, racing onto Shaquille Gwengwe's flick on and turning a Gloucester defender inside out before seeing his shot go just past the far post, whilst Koszela saw his long-range attempt saved a couple of minutes later.
Gwengwe then had the biggest chance of the game so far, beating the offside trap and breaking clean through on goal, only for the on-rushing keeper to get a hand to the ball and knock it away for a corner.
Just past the halfway point in the first period there was a loud penalty shout after a Gloucester defender appeared to handle in the area but nothing was awarded by the referee, before moments later Haste's cross found Gwengwe at the back post only for the keeper to tip his strike around the post.
The returning Benfield was called into his first real action catching a Gloucester free-kick before back at the other end a clever corner routine saw captain Jordan Ngalo head narrowly wide from Corby Moore's cross.
Benfield made a good save to deny the hosts and it was from the resulting corner that the Magpies goal arrived - in a clinical counter-attack, after the set piece was cleared Ollie Haste burst up the pitch, riding two fouls which the referee played advantage for, before Koszela then picked out Pardoe in the area who took a touch onto his favoured left foot and fired past the keeper into the bottom corner.
Into the second half, a dangerous break from Koszela was snuffed out by the visitors defence before Gwengwe saw his strike at the far post go just wide from Moore's delivery.
On the 67th minute, the home side were reduced to 10-men, with Will Spetch shown a second yellow card by the referee for a soft foul on the halfway line, having picked up an first yellow early in the first half.
Down to 10, a first enforced change saw Tom Bragg replace Gwengwe to take the vacant spot in the heart of defence, as the visitors looked to take advantage of the extra man.
Hutchinson and Robinson were also introduced as Tom Killick's side soaked up the pressure, and they almost grabbed a second as Haste's header went just wide from Ngalo's cross.
With 8 added minutes signaled, Benfield was forced into action deep in stoppage time making a superb save as Gloucester looked for an equaliser, before the referee blew the final whistle seconds later.
Next up on Wednesday night is a quick return to Basingstoke Town's Winklebury Football Complex for our delayed Bank Holiday Monday fixture against Winchester City.
Starting XI: Benfield; Dickson, Spetch, Haste; Buse, Moore, Ngalo [c], Pardoe (Hutchinson); Fogden; Koszela (Robinson), Gwengwe (Bragg). Subs not used: Roberts, Holmes.
Referee: Jordan Mcritchie
Attendance: 657