Newport manager Graham Coughlan praised his injury-hit squad for digging deep to claim a point against MK Dons after a 0-0 draw at Rodney Parade.
Coughlan could only name five substitutes, with three teenagers making up the numbers alongside James Waite and second-choice goalkeeper Jonny Maxted on the bench.
“Given our current predicament, our squad size and the changes we needed to make on 70 to 75 minutes, I’ve got to be satisfied with the performance and opportunities that we created,” said Coughlan.
“We’ve gone up against one of the top teams in the division and did more than enough to win the game.
“Nick Townsend pulled off two magnificent saves but that’s what top teams do, they get into the final third and ask questions, they hit the target and make the goalkeeper work.
“We got into the final third on number occasions and didn’t hit the target, worked the goalie or scored a goal. That’s what we need to work on and it’s not a quick fix.
“I am annoyed that we didn’t score but I am not going to complain about a home point against one of the top teams in the division and a clean sheet.”
County striker Omar Bogle wasted several opportunities in the first half, while Dons forward Max Dean forced Townsend into a superb save after half an hour.
Townsend’s opposite number Craig MacGillivray presented Will Evans with a golden chance five minutes after the break, but the striker curled his shot wide.
Evans grazed the bar from a tight angle before Townsend was again the hero for the hosts as he denied Dons skipper Alex Gilbey and then held Joe Tomlinson’s shot at the second attempt.
Substitute Mo Eisa nearly found a winner for the visitors a minute late on, but he could not quite reach Gilbey’s dangerous ball across goal.
Like Coughlan, Dons boss Mike Williamson praised his side’s efforts and he felt they were unlucky not to come away with three points.
“There were plenty of chances,” said the former Newcastle defender.
“I thought we had the momentum the whole time in the second half.
“I’m so proud of the boys. It’s never in question that they put a shift in, and you could see the quality from the way we played through them at times. We just didn’t get the finishing touch.
“It was just one of those days. In previous games we’ve scored harder chances. That’s football.
“All we can do is keep working on the preparation and the intention as to how we get in those areas. And, with the quality we’ve got in the squad, more often than not we will put them away.”
Iraola demands Bournemouth pick up points in south coast derby
Andoni Iraola believes it is critical that Bournemouth win points in all games against non-European opposition if they are to improve on last season's 12th-place finish.
Iraola guided Bournemouth to their highest-ever Premier League points total (48) last campaign but has overseen an underwhelming start to this season.
Bournemouth lost 3-0 to Liverpool last weekend, to add to defeats against Chelsea and West Ham. Their only win so far came away at Everton, with a spectacular 3-2 comeback, after trailing 2-0 as late as the 87th minute.
Though Iraola will be watching on from the stands as he serves a touchline ban, he stressed the importance of beating sides like Southampton if the Cherries are to go better than last season.
"It is a derby – a game that everybody always wants to win. Considering the standings, I think it's a very important game for us," the Bournemouth manager told the media.
"Every game we play against a non-European team is definitive. Every time you play, you have to take the most you can.
"It looks like an exciting game. It will be a demanding one, but I think we are training well and ready for it. I'm sure they will be a good team. I don't see weak teams in the Premier League."
Southampton remain in search of their first win of the season, after a rocky start to their first season back in the league.
Russell Martin’s side picked up their first point of the season at home to Ipswich Town but were unlucky to miss out on all three after being pegged back by a last-minute equaliser from Sam Morsy.
Martin hopes his side can take inspiration from their upcoming opponents as they look to kickstart their league campaign and move out of the relegation places.
"Iraola has done a brilliant job, but it took him some time, in the same way it has taken us a bit of time to adapt and adjust. They had a bumpy start under Andoni but they've been brilliant ever since and they've kept building on it," he said.
"We're learning more about what's required at this level. I hope, in the five games we've had, they have enough to know that to feel fear of the Premier League.
"You have to embrace it and really seize the opportunity we have. I feel more and more that they are doing that and the results will follow."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo
Semenyo has the highest goal contributions in the Bournemouth squad so far this season with two goals and one assist to his name.
In the loss at Anfield last week, Semenyo had the joint-highest expected goals total (0.35) among his teammates, equal with Luis Sinisterra. It was also the joint third-highest total across both sides.
He also got the joint most shots away in the match (four), level with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
Southampton – Tyler Dibling
Dibling became Southampton's fourth-youngest Premier League goalscorer when he netted against Ipswich Town at just 18 years and 217 days old.
The youngster has also created five chances for Southampton this season, the third-highest in the squad, despite having only played 205 minutes.
Martin said Dibling's "ceiling is so high", adding: At this moment he couldn't play for every team, he suits the way we play a lot, and he's getting so much better at the stuff he needs to improve on."
MATCH PREDICTION: BOURNEMOUTH WIN
Southampton have found it difficult on their travels of late. They will be looking to reverse a nine-match Premier League away winless streak (W0, D2, L7), having not won on the road in the top flight since February 2023 against Chelsea.
If there is one opponent to do it against though, it could be their south coast rivals. Bournemouth are winless in their last five against Southampton at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League (D2 L3).
But even that may prove too tough of a challenge. Southampton have picked up just one point in their opening five Premier League matches in 2024-25, their fewest at this stage of a league season since 1998-99, when they had no points after five games.
Southampton also remain winless in their last 18 Premier League matches (D5 L13), since a 1-0 win over Leicester City in March 2023. The last side to have a longer winless run were Norwich City between March 2020 and October 2021 (20 games).
Bournemouth can feel more hopeful about their recent form. Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last time out, they had 19 shots. That was the joint most by an away team in a Premier League game at Anfield on record since 2003-04.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Bournemouth – 56.7%
Draw – 21.7%
Southampton – 21.6%
Al Kholood 2-4 Al-Hilal: Koulibaly on target as champions move to summit
Al-Hilal withstood a late Al Kholood rally to move top of the Saudi Pro League following a 4-2 victory at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
The damage was done during a late first-half surge by the reigning champions, who leapfrogged Al-Ittihad to the summit of the table.
Al-Hilal broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through former Napoli and Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who finished after Renan Lodi initially struck the woodwork.
Malcom doubled the lead four minutes later, then Ali Al Bulayhi made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Lodi then got in the act to make it four within three minutes of the restart.
The hosts finished the contest the stronger of the two sides with Hammam Al Hammami and a William Troost-Ekong penalty halving the deficit, but that rally could not prevent the visitors from remaining perfect after their first five games.
Data Debrief: Al-Hilal remain perfect
Al-Hilal have won each of their opening five games in a Saudi Pro League season for the third time in their history, also achieving the feat in 2010-11 and 2018-19.
Jorge Jesus' side also continued their dominant record against newly promoted clubs, having now won each of their last nine such matches.
Despite their late surge, Al Kholood suffered their third defeat of the season, though there was individual cause for celebration, as former Al-Hilal player Mohammed Jahfali came on for his 200th Saudi Pro League appearance.
International record goalscorer Sinclair to retire after NWSL season
Christine Sinclair, the all-time record goalscorer in international football, will retire at the end of the National Women’s Soccer League in November.
Sinclair, 41, has 190 goals in 331 appearances for Canada, making her the top scorer across both men's and women's football.
She has played for the NWSL's Portland Thorns since 2013, helping them to win the inaugural title that year. She added further league crowns to her collection in 2017 and 2022.
The Canadian great has had similar success with her national team, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also one of three players to score at five World Cups, alongside Brazil's Marta and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sinclair retired from international football in December 2023, and will now call time on her club career.
"Portland, thank you will never be enough. Soccer has been my passion since I was four years old and it has taken me on a journey I could never have imagined," Sinclair wrote on Instagram.
"As I finish out this last ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful, and passionate city that I will always call home."
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