Atalanta 2 : 1 Novara Calcio - Novara denied share of the points

Novara left Bergamo furious at not taking a point from their clash with Atalanta, who won the game 2-1.

The battle of the Serie A newcomers was going comfortably in the home side`s favour when Matias Schelotto and Luca Cigarini put them two goals clear.

Novara managed to half the deficit with a minute of normal time remaining through Filippo Porcari, but appeared to have run out of time.

They had one more chance, though, which Pablo Granoche took, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside despite replays proving otherwise.

It was a sour note on which to finish, especially after Andrea Mazzarani had helped them get off to an impressive start, whipping a drive just over the bar.

With confidence still high after their win over Inter Milan last week, Novara continued to impress and Riccardo Meggiorini worked Andrea Consigli from distance.

Atalanta woke up and German Denis volleyed over, before the excellent Meggiorini grazed a post following a run and shot.

After the way they had started, it was harsh on Novara when they went behind 11 minutes before the break.

Gianpaolo Bellini`s run and cross created a chance for Schelotto who made no mistake from close range and, with Novara stunned, Schelotto went close to a second just a minute later when he thumped the post from 25 yards.

Novara`s Marco Rigoni flashed a header across goal before the break and Meggiorini failed from close range after it as chances continued to go begging.

The visitors were made to rue their profligacy in front of goal in the 54th minute too, as Cigarini found the top corner with a drive from the edge of the box.

Schelotto began to take aim from everywhere knowing his side has a comfortable cushion, but Rigoni reminded Atalanta of Novara`s threat when he drew a save from Consigli.

That threat became real with a minute to go when Porcari tucked home from close range, and even then there was still time for more drama as Granoche was denied at the last.