Joel Obi provided the assist for compatriot Simy Nwankwo but it was not enough as Salernitana lost 2-1 away to Spezia, in the Serie A on Saturday, Completesports reports.

It was Simy’s first goal for Salernitana in all competitions since joining them from Crotone in the summer.

While for Obi it was his first assist for the newly promoted club.

Salernitana broke the deadlock in 39th minute against the run of play, as Obi with his back to goal flicked on the assist for Simy, who took a touch to go past the goalkeeper before putting the ball into the net.

Spezia equalised with a rapid counter-attack on 51 minutes, Viktor Kovalenko rolling it across from the left for David Strelec to smash in off the underside of the bar from 14 yards.

And in the 76th minute Spezia went 2-1 up with Kovalenko sending a curler into the far top corner with power and precision from the edge of the box.

Saturday’s defeat means Salernitana have won just one of their last five games (three defeats, one draw) and are in 19th place on just four points after eight games.