By Joe Jones
And so our hoodoo against Walsall at Meadow Lane continues, although it didn't have to be in such unfortunate and controversial circumstances.
After making a poor start and conceding a goal early on, Garry Thompson pulled it back, only to then lose it when a penalty that shouldn't have been was conceded and duly converted by the Saddlers to secure a 2-1 win.
The game began in lively fashion when Tom Bradshaw found himself nearly put through on goal after just four minutes, but the move was aborted for offside.
Moments later, Haydn Hollis flicked the ball towards Michael Petrasso, who found his header saved.
Stephen McLaughlin and Liam Noble added several more chances in the ensuing minutes, but sadly, the deadlock would be broken by the visitors when Gary Jones accidentally put the ball into his own net.
In the 26th minute, Thompson threatened when his shot forced a save out of Richard O'Donnell, but he went one better just after the half-hour mark when McLaughlin's ball into the box was converted by the former Scunthorpe and Bradford man.
The Walsall keeper then did his best impression of Manuel Neuer when, on 37 minutes, he ran out of his box and headed the ball away.
Towards the latter stages of the first half, the game heated up as both teams registered several good chances, but ultimately, the break whistle blew on a 1-1 draw.
Walsall were on top in the early stages of the second period, but the manner in which they went back into the lead was contentious, as Hollis was judged to have handled in the penalty box, despite being just out.
Nevertheless, the referee, whose display in charge had been a bit iffy at best until that point, gave the spot kick, and Tom Bradshaw duly tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
The Magpies struggled to impose themselves back into the game after that, and after a few limp chances towards the end of the match, the final whistle signaled an end to the contest and to Notts County's unbeaten run.
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