Match Report: Refereeing shocker costs Notts County at MK Dons

The brief revival is just a memory now - the five-game unbeaten run has given way to two defeats on the trot and a renewed ringing of the alarm bells as Notts County loiter dangerously above the Notts County drop zone.

Unlike the horror show at Bury last Saturday, the Magpies put in a much-improved performance, but if it isn't the players that screw things up, then chances are it'll be the officials as in tonight's case.

Notts went to MK Dons, a side flying high in the fourth tier, and went toe to toe with the controversial Buckinghamshire-based franchise, both sides crafting chances in the early stages.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Lewis Alessandra had a pop from around 20 yards out and, via a slight deflection, got the better of goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, who conceded his first goal in over 430 minutes of football.

In the second half, however, came the sucker punch for Notts as Rhys Healey was adjudged to have been bundled over in the County box - a seemingly innocuous challenge from Jamie Turley was deemed enough for a red card by referee Michael Salisbury.

Up stepped Chuks Aneke and the MK man rolled the ball past Ross Fitzsimons for an ill-deserved equaliser.

On 70 minutes, Notts conceded the losing goal as Dean Lewington's short corner found Healey at the front post, who in turn found the roof of the Notts net from an incredibly tight angle, leaving a thoroughly bitter taste in the mouths of the Black & White Army.

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