Following ex-coach Carlos Azenha’s refusal to return to the Algarve, Portimão FC unveiled Lazaro Oliveira as its new manager last Thursday.
The 44-year-old took his place on the bench for the first time on Monday night in the hope of ending a winless home run dating back to October 2011.
Forced to rely on junior keeper Carlos who had starred in the previous week’s goalless League Cup draw against Nacional on Madeira in the face of injuries to both the club’s senior men, the match also saw the debut of new arrival from Italian side Pisa, Pedro Oliveira, as well as the farewell appearance of Angola-bound Ben Traore.
The changes appeared to have been all too much for the team, however, a sluggish first half seeing promotion chasing Moreirense taking the lead through Bruno Moreira after 26 minutes.
Portimonense came out fighting after the interval and enjoyed their best spell following Semedo’s 67th-minute equaliser. But there was to be no happy ending for the 900 fans braving the winter chill as substitute Wagner finally found the back of the net just before the final whistle to ensure the visitors returned north with all three points.
Portimonense thus remain rooted to the bottom of the table and must start producing positive results starting with Naval next Sunday or begin contemplating life in the regionalised second division.
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