OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, NEWPORT COUNTY 1
Manager Frank Bunn lamented what might have been as Oldham Athletic suffered a second defeat of the season in Sky Bet League Two.
Bunn could not fault the endeavour of his side saying it dominated and did everything but find the net as it slipped to a first league loss in six games since the opening-day defeat to Milton Keynes Dons.
In the end Tyreeq Bakinson’s 69th minute goal for the Welshmen sealed victory in the first-ever meeting of the two teams.
But despite their territorial dominance, Newport had the better chances and Latics’ stand-in goalkeeper Zeus de la Paz made a number of fine saves to prevent an even heavier loss.
Latics, without regular keeper Daniel Iverson and Gevaro Nepomuceno, who remained on international duty, recalled all their other key players who had been rested the midweek Checkatrade Trophy tie against Barnsley.
Rob Hunt and Peter Clarke were restored to the defence, Dan Gardner to midfield and Chris O’Grady up front.
Loan signing Callum Lang kept his starting spot from midweek as did Sam Surridge who was preferred to Jose Baxter.
In a tight opening, Newport defender Fraser Franks was lucky not to see red and escape with a yellow card following a high and dangerous challenge on Lang.
Surridge and Franks then tangled in the box from a Latics’ corner and Surridge gestured he was stamped on, but nothing was given.
Newport grew into the game and de la Paz had to be at his best with two fantastic saves in a matter of minutes.
Dan Butler’s cross wasn’t dealt with and Josh Sheehan found himself with space to shoot, but de la Paz saved superbly.
The Curacao international’s next save was even better as Franks found himself free inside Latics’ box and his effort was destined for the top corner, but de la Paz somehow managed to tip it over the bar.
Latics responded well as Surridge almost found strike partner O’Grady, but the teasing ball just evaded him in front of goal.
Gardner skipped his way past the Newport defence forcing Joe Day into a smart stop as the teams went in at half time goalless
De la Paz had work to do early in the second half as he tipped over a Jamille Matt header before Lang released Surridge, but his shot-cum-cross evaded everyone and the goal post.
Johan Branger-Engone headed straight at Day from a Taylor cross as Newport soaked up pressure before getting themselves ahead with 21 minutes left.
Butler played a long ball into Bakinson who spun and finished smartly past de la Paz into the far corner.
Jose Baxter was introduced, and he almost found a goal with his head, but he could only guide it over the bar.
Former Latics’ player Keanu Marsh-Brown could have sealed the game after nicking the ball off Clarke and de la Paz, but his touch let him down.
Branger-Engone should have put Latics level after yet another Taylor cross from the left found the Gabonese winger, but he headed over the bar as Latics could not muster an equaliser.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): de la Paz; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor; Lang, Missilou (Maouche 88), Gardner, Branger-Engone (Benteke 90); O’Grady (Baxter 74), Surridge. Subs (not used): Graham, Hamer, McFarlane, Stott.
The goal: Bakinson (69) for Newport.
Attendance 4,239 (259 visitors)