Newport County 2-0 Oldham Athletic: Shane McLoughlin double sends Exiles into FA Cup second round

Shane McLoughlin struck twice to send Newport County into the FA Cup second round at Oldham Athletic's expense.

Wing-back McLoughlin arrived at the back post to drive the ball home from 15 yards after fine build-up play by Omar Bogle and Matty Bondswell.

Newport keeper Nick Townsend needed a flying save to stop Joe Nuttall heading Oldham level, then later had to push away Alex Reid's half-volley.

But McLoughlin's ranged shot found the bottom corner to settle the result.

League Two Newport started the game 15 places above National League side Oldham in the league pyramid and showed just that extra bit of quality, with Bogle in particular a handful for the visiting defence.

Shane McLoughlin strikes his first goal of the game for Newport County

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan said:

"I'm not saying it was a great performance but it was a professional performance and we wanted to be in the hat for the next round - job done.

"They were two good strikes [by Shane McLoughlin], particularly the second one. The first goal he did brilliantly well to sneak in at the back stick, which is something we try and encourage our wing-backs to do, play high and attack the back stick.

"We're really, really pleased we got a victory and a clean sheet."