OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, MILTON KEYNES DONS 2
New Oldham Athletic manager Frank Bunn took positives from his first game in charge, a home defeat against Milton Keynes Dons.
The clash between two of the teams relegated to Sky Bet League Two saw Dons set down a marker for the forthcoming campaign.
Latics, in the bottom tier for the first time since 1971, were undone by two early goals from Kieran Agard and Ryan Harley and, despite a spirited fightback, they were unable to claw back the deficit, despite Dan Gardner halving it.
It was a new-look Latics with seven debutants in the starting line-up.
And with players like Cameron Dummigan and Jack Byrne missing, there was scope for strengthening.
The visitors were awarded a penalty inside ten minutes when Giles Coke was adjudged to bring down George Williams following a corner and the referee had no hesitation when pointing to the spot.
Agard stepped up and place it low to Daniel Iverson’s right to give Dons the lead.
Latics created their first opportunity when some neat football allowed Gardner to test out Lee Nicholls with a decent drive.
However, at the other end Agard found himself free in Latics’ penalty area and he squared it across to Ryan Harley for a two-goal lead.
The home side worked themselves back into the game just before half time as captain Gardner dragged his team back into the contest.
The ball fell for the midfielder on the edge of the box and he had no hesitation firing past Nicholls.
Iverson was called into action early into the second half from a flowing move from Dons.
The great Dane came out quickly to deny Connor McGrandles with his feet.
Latics tried to force the equaliser with substitute Gevaro Nepomuceno cutting in from the right and dragging his shot wide.
Dons were strong at the back denying any half chances Latics could work and it was Iverson who had to make another stop to keep the home side in the game.
McGrandles again found himself free, but the Leicester loanee made another great save.
Sam Surridge almost nicked a point for Latics, but his deft header was held onto by Nicholls.
Due to an injury to McGrandles the game went 10 minutes over the 90-minute mark, but Latics could not grab themselves a point
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iverson; Hamer, Edmundson, Graham, Hunt; Coke (Nepomuceno 46), Gardner, Missilou (Maouche 80), Branger-Engone; Miller (O’Grady 58), Surridge. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Benteke, Stott, Sheridan.
Attendance: 4,764