By Joe Jones
Notts recorded a sixth defeat in seven league games this season after going down 2-1 to a spirited Milton Keynes Dons side away.
Former Man Utd reserve Luke Chadwick scored within the first five minutes after a defensive howler by the Notts defenders leaving him clear through on goal, before a curled free kick from Shaun Williams on 37 doubled the Dons lead. Although Notts managed to pull one back in the second half through Callum McGregor, their eagerness to push for an equaliser left them exposed at the back, leaving Patrick Bamford to net in injury time, securing all three points for the team formerly known as Wimbledon.
Although Notts managed to pull one back in the second half through Callum McGregor, their eagerness to push for an equaliser left them exposed at the back, leaving Patrick Bamford to net in injury time and secure all three points for the team formerly known as Wimbledon.
Chris Kiwomya began the game in a 4-4-2 formation, drafting Marcus Haber in attack alongside Danny Haynes. Gary Liddle went into midfield as Manny Smith and Dean Leacock lined up in centre-back.
The 430 travelling Notts fans didn't have to wait too long for another farcical setback this time, Bamford taking only five minutes to seize on a dreadful headed backpass to thread through to Chadwick for an easy goal. 1-0 MK Dons. It could have been 2-0 just a minute later, but the subsequent MK chance was offside.
Notts did get a good chance on the quarter-hour mark, however, when McGregor's cross met Haber's head and troubled home keeper David Martin.
For the majority of the half, however, it was all Milton Keynes. Stephen Gleeson, Samir Carruthers and Bamford all had fine chances to increase their lead.
As has been the case often this season, any potential progress from Notts was thwarted by poor refereeing decisions, as was the case when Haber was tripped by Williams in the home box, but no penalty was given.
To add insult to injury, the same player was then responsible for doubling the Dons lead, with an exquisite free kick from the edge of the box. Bartosz Bialkowski had no chance.
In all fairness, Notts were lucky to only go back to the changing rooms 2-0 down, as two more great chances were just short, from Carruthers and Danny Green.
The Magpies came out in the second half determined to give their fans something to smile about, and they began well, Haynes' half volley ricocheting off the advertising boards. Dons would keep threatening with efforts from Chadwick and Bamford, but Notts had a bit more edge to them, Haber mustering a half chance from a David Bell cross.
The next major chance came on 69 minutes, with a Bamford shot oly just being deflected away by Bart.
On 76 minutes, Notts finally drew blood, Sheehan's brilliant through-ball falling to McGregor, who proceeded to fire into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.
The rest of the game, however, would all be MK Dons, with a Carruthers shot (kind of) and substitute Izale McLeod's chance when clear through on goal.
Eventually, victory was secured for the home side with a Bamford rebound from a Bart save crossing the line and making it 3-1. Game over, Notts County find themselves rooted at the bottom of League One with one meagre point from six games.
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