Nelson Jardim pinpointed a “little detail” which put the boot into Newport County’s hopes of a League Two reward at Bradford City.
Head coach Jardim felt Bobby Kamwa (above right) changing his boots was a contributory factor in Bradford’s second goal – scored by James Walker – as the home side ran out 3-1 winners, at Valley Parade.
A Kyle Hudlin header had helped Newport pull back to 1-1 midway through the second half when Walker struck on 75 minutes.
Jardim said: “I thought we were the better team, I felt we were close to the second goal, we did create chances.
“Then just one little detail – Bobby changed his boots – and at that moment he had to be out for a period of time.
“When he came on, obviously we were not in the slots we were supposed to be and when you are not there, those chances come.
“That goal came in that period where I felt it was unfair, but we have to learn from those mistakes and build on.
“I just felt there were a lot of positives from this game and we go away proud, but knowing we can still improve.”
As for Kamwa, his fleetfooted winger, Jardim said: “He knows. He is not going to do it again because I am going to keep his boots locked!”
Jardim was frustrated by the defeat, but understands his young side are still developing.
“You come up with this when you work with young boys it’s little things we have to learn from,” he said.
“But sometimes we have not got time, they have to grow quick otherwise they get punished and we didn’t deserve to lose the game the way we did.
“But it is a learning curve and we have to focus in our learning process on the positives.”
The defeat came after two home wins over Crewe and Salford City and consigned Newport to their fourth league reverse on the road. Their only away win came in a 1-0 triumph at Morecambe on 31 August 31.
Newport slipped one place to tenth in the table as Bradford leapt above them into ninth. But both sides are only a point outside the play-off positions after ten games.
The Exiles return to Yorkshire on Saturday as they travel to play Harrogate Town.
Newport will be without left back Anthony Glennon, who collected his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the Bradford defeat.