Notts County 0-1 Milton Keynes Dons

Notts County gave the Milton Keynes Dons a tough game on Boxing Day afternoon at Meadow Lane, but it was always going to be a big ask against the second-placed side in League One as the visitors secured a 1-0 win.

Daniel Powell’s first half goal was enough to seal all three points against Shaun Derry’s side, who had their moments but ultimately lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Notts began brightly, playing a fast-paced pressing game that forced the Dons into several nervy mistakes early on.

In the first few minutes, Stephen McLaughlin released Blair Adams down the flank, but the full-back’s subsequent cross into the box was miskicked and flew straight at goalkeeper David Martin, who punched the ball away to safety.

The Dons struck back though, as a counterattack allowed Benik Afobe to set up Dean Bowditch on the edge of the box, but the ensuing shot was caught by Roy Carroll.

Anthony McKay then came close to giving his side the lead when he blasted a header over the bar from close range following Dean Lewington’s free kick.

Just after the half-hour mark, MK were able to break the deadlock when Afobe weaved his way into the box, and even though his footwork let him down, Powell pounced to poke a low shot beyond Carroll and into the net for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Notts attempted to engineer a comeback and almost got themselves an equaliser when Adams’s low shot forced a smart save from Martin, but the visitors went on to threaten through Bowditch, whose long-range effort was turned over by Carroll.

In the second half, a great pass from Colby Bishop allowed Ronan Murray a one-on-one opportunity against Martin, but the Irishman sent his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Notts continued to threaten as Stephen McLaughlin forced a good stop from Martin, while substitute Jake Cassidy bore down on goal but sent a shot over.

Young prodigy Dele Alli had a great chance to extend his side’s lead in the latter stages of the game, but his effort from 20 yards out cannoned off the post.

Right at the death, Thompson was felled by Kyle McFazdean in the area, but the referee waved away the subsequent appeals as the Dons held on for all three points to remain second in League One.

Notts, meanwhile, are in eighth place.