Notts County got their League Two campaign to a near-perfect start with a 2-0 win away at a tricky and feisty Stevenage side in a game marred only by the late sending-off of Mawouna Amevor.

The visitors had the edge in the opening quarter of an hour, though opposition forward Dipo Akinyemi came close with a goal-bound shot which deflected over.

From the same period of pressure, the teenager was unmarked two yards out and somehow missed, while just after the half-hour mark Brett Williams fired straight at Roy Carroll.

This proved the catalyst for a deadly counter-attack that saw Liam Noble maraud down Boro's exposed left side before passing to Jon Stead.

The ex-Bradford man then cut the ball back across the box, where Curtis Thompson was on hand to slice home at the far post and send the visiting fans barmy.

Notts looked the most likely to notch up another goal as Chris Day was forced to save at his near post from Julian Jenner shortly after the restart.

Kyle De Silva also went close with a stinging volley which drew another excellent save from the opposition keeper, before Stead curled a shot just wide of the far post on the spin.

Stevenage twice went close through Tom Hitchcock, while Williams also threatened, but Notts could have doubled their lead on 75 minutes when Thierry Audel’s powerful header was kept out by Day.

It felt at times like Notts were riding their luck but luckily they killed the game off in the final few minutes of normal time as a long-range shot from Stead was stopped low by Day, before Amevor tucked in the rebound.

In injury-time, a scuffle between Hitchcock and Amevor saw red cards for both, while Mark Hughes struck the bar with a 20-yard shot moments later, but the move was declared offside as Notts saw the game out and celebrated all three points.

The result sees the Magpies end their first matchday in sixth place - it's a great start from Ricardo Moniz's charges, who put in a great display and were rewarded with three points and a clean sheet.

(Credit to Dan Westwell for the article image)

It pains me to say this folks, but Notts County have been relegated from League One. Despite a decent enough start to our season that saw us in the playoff places, it's been a freefall towards the bottom of the table, culminating in a 3-1 defeat away at Gillingham that sees us end the season in 21st place.

The Magpies began matchday 46 outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, so a win would see them survive the drop.

Ricardo Moniz's charges set about trying to find an early goal to settle nerves as Balint Bajner forced a corner after just 30 seconds.

The Gills, however, were deft on the counterattack and enjoyed a good spell with the likes of Cody McDonald, John Marquis and Bradley Dack all weighing in with chances.

Notts soon picked themselves up and Garry Thompson, Graham Burke and Haydn Hollis all test the opposition back line.

The first half finished goalless, which would not have been enough for the Magpies to survive as other results were going against them.

This changed for the better when Burke opened the scoring to the rapturous delight of the travelling Notts fans, the on-loan Aston Villa man picking up a Liam Noble pass and rifling past Glenn Morris.

There was genuine belief that the Magpies could hold onto the win and secure League One football for another season, but sadly it would all go pear-shaped in the latter stages of the game.

With two minutes left the Gills levelled the game as Egan powered home Doug Loft’s cross and in stoppage-time, as Notts struggled to clear, Ben Dickenson smashed the ball home to put the hosts ahead.

Dickenson then turned provider moments later, as the Gills burst forward, laying off the ball for Luke Norris to fire home a third and condemn Notts to the bottom tier of the Football League.

So this is it then. It'll go down to the final day. Notts County managed to tear up their formbook as they secured a 2-1 win against Doncaster Rovers that edged the hosts just out of League One's drop zone - on goal difference.

The Magpies were quickest out of the starting blocks as Gary Jones and Balint Bajner saw efforts blocked in the early stages of the game.Donny countered through Nathan Tyson, who drilled wide from 12 yards out, but the Magpies would break the deadlock eight minutes in when Garry Thompson slotted past goalkeeper Marko Marosi after connecting with Graham Burke's cross.

The visitors, who had nothing to play for, got into their groove as the first half minutes ticked away, twice going close through long-range shots from James Coppinger and Kyle Bennett.

It would get even better for Notts after the restart as Burke floated a cross into the area and Noble lost his man, brought down the ball and slotted it past Marosi.

A Donny consolation came deep into injury time when Haydn Hollis was adjudged to have fouled Tyson in the box, allowing the striker to slot home from the spot, but it proved too little too late for the visitors.

Notts moved out of the bottom four as a result of this win after Crawley blew a 3-2 lead to lose 4-3 at Peterborough.

However, Colchester also gave themselves hope of survival with a 3-2 win at Fleetwood and a win for them at Swindon on Tuesday will put the Magpies back into the drop zone.

Two games to go. That's all Notts have left if they are to salvage their League One status after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at home to seemingly Championship-bound Preston North End.

The Lilywhites broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Jermaine Beckford produced a thundering finish from Joe Garner's setup.

Garner then got on the scoresheet himself just after the half-hour mark when he fired in from inside the six-yard box after some poor Magpies defending.

Notts set about trying to reduce the deficit and saw Graham Burke twice force goalkeeper Sam Johnstone into saves.

The hosts' persistence paid off with just under 20 minutes left when Jimmy Spencer scored his first goal of the season after holding off a defender before turning and firing home.

Meadow Lane roared their boys on and were rewarded with some great attacking play as they searched for an equaliser.

Garry Thompson spurned a massive chance to draw level when put through by Liam Noble, but he could only fire at Johnstone's legs.

And it proved costly as Beckford bagged his second five minutes from time when he raced through to drive past Roy Carroll and kill the game off.

Well folks, it's looking grim now. Notts have three games to save their season after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat away at Crawley, compounding a run of 11 games without a win which puts us two points from safety.

The opening goal at the Broadfield Stadium came on 15 minutes as defender Kelly Youga converted Anthony Wordsworth's corner with a spectacular overhead kick to leave Roy Carroll stranded.

Notts were right up against it just two minutes later when Wordsworth's free kick was nodded home by Darren Ward.

The visitors set about trying to reduce the deficit and went on to threaten as Blair Adams’ cross found the head of Jimmy Spencer, who forced Brian Jensen to tip the ball over the bar.

Jensen then made another fine stop minutes later, diving to save Garry Thompson’s header, before coming up trumps later on when he kept out Gary Jones's volley.

Youga had the sheer audacity to try out another overhead kick in the latter stages of the first half, but this time it sailed over the crossbar.

Notts came out with intent after the restart, but failed to provide much of a threat as Izale McLeod’s header dropped wide on 57 minutes, before the same player forced Carroll into a stop just after the hour.

With ten minutes to play, Crawley squandered a huge chance when Jordan Williams miscontrolled the ball and McLeod raced through.

The striker was denied one-on-one by Carroll and, from the rebound, substitute Dean Morgan missed an open goal.

Notts weren't able to muster up anything special in the last few minutes as Crawley sealed all three points and came out of the drop zone.

Meanwhile the Magpies' descent into League Two creeps ever closer, unless Ricardo Moniz's boys are able to rip up their current form book and conjure up another Great Escape.

A strange game in which to welcome two new managers to a football club, six games before the end of the season, saw Yeovil Town relegated from League One as Notts County held them to a 1-1 draw at Huish Park this afternoon.

Ricardo Moniz secured his first point as Magpies boss, while Paul Sturrock's immediate project with the Glovers is to see out the season then rebuild for life in League Two.Notts were quickest off the starting blocks as Garry Thompson was denied by a Stephen Arthurworrey last-ditch challenge.

The hosts then countered in the 10th minute through a Sam Foley free-kick and, with Byron Webster pressuring Haydn Hollis, the defender headed into his own net to give Yeovil the lead.

The visitors tried to regroup and looked dangerous going forward, but the Yeovil defence managed to hold back their opponents.

Hollis then nearly made his second major mistake of the match when he misjudged a back pass to Roy Carroll. The goalkeeper had to sprint from his box to beat the onrushing James Hayter to the ball.

The Northern Irishman rescued the Magpies from conceding further with two great saves to deny Stephen Kingsley and then Chigozie Ugeu from close range.

There was a warning moment for the hosts on the stroke of half time as Jimmy Spencer set up a good opportunity for himself just outside the box, but his left-footed effort went just wide of Artur Krysiak's post.

Yeovil came out all guns blazing in the second half as Hayter had a shot saved easily by Carroll, before Ugwu showed his pace to beat Mullins but sliced his effort wide.

Notts continued to push hard for an equaliser but found Krysiak in good form with the big Pole pulled off a stunning save to deny substitute Graham Burke.

The Magpies eventually succeeded in pulling level with just 11 minutes remaining when Campbell-Ryce whipped a fine cross into the box for Garry Thompson to head in from a few yards out.

Sensing all three points were now a realistic prospect, Moniz's charges pushed forward and, after a fine pass from Thompson, it took a brilliant diving block from Liam Shephard to thwart Burke's shot on goal.

Yeovil then nearly grabbed an unexpected winner when Seth Twumasi sent a ball forward to Kieffer Moore and, after bringing the ball under control, his shot went just wide.

Moore and Twumasi combined once more in added time, although this time it was the striker who was the provider and the latter's shot was well saved by Carroll.

The final whistle ultimately blew on the game as both sides were left feeling distinctly glum. Yeovil's relegation to the bottom tier of the Football League was confirmed, while Notts continue to sit in the bottom four, though a mere point separates them from safety.

Notts County remain in the bottom four following a third draw in a row, a goalless stalemate against Coventry City at Meadow Lane. After a cagey start from both sides, Alan Smith played Hayden Mullins in, the latter letting rip from 25 yards and forcing a diving save from goalkeeper Lee Burge.

Garry Thompson was then brought down moments later to gift the Magpies a free kick, but Gary Jones' dead-ball effort cannoned into the wall, with the rebound drilled wide.

The Sky Blues had a decent spell towards the end of the first half, winning several corners that put pressure on the hosts, but as it was, there was no breakthrough come the half-time whistle.

Coventry continued to look bright after the restart, with Adam Barton latching onto a cross at the back post but firing wide.

Paul Hart's charges countered with a series of attacks, one of which saw Burge spill the ball the way of Nicky Wroe.

The 29-year-old headed towards goal but the Coventry defence was able to frantically clear.

Just after the hour there was more reason for Notts fans to raise their voice as Thompson smacked a header against the post.

Both sides went hell for leather in the latter stages of the game, as Coventry saw Jordan Willis force a save from Roy Carroll with a flukey cross that seemed goalbound, while Liam Noble combined well with Mullins and Balint Bajner to curl an effort just wide.

The Sky Blues nearly sealed all three points at the death through a goalbound Barton header, but the veteran Notts stopper pulled off a marvellous save to secure a point for his beleaguered side.

Notts will visit relegation-bound Yeovil Town at the weekend in what will be an incredibly nervy and edgy game, because time is running out on our stay in the third tier as things stand.

Notts have made it two games unbeaten as they performed admirably against a tough Walsall side at the Banks's Stadium and secure a point in a 0-0 draw.

The hosts had the first sniff of goal just two minutes in when Haydn Hollis's mistake allowed Jordan Cook to surge into the area, but despite the one-on-one opportunity, he clipped the ball wide of the post.Notts then threatened as Sean Newton sent a cross the way of Jimmy Spencer, who failed to get his head over the ball to trouble goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell.

Walsall enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half without truly testing Roy Carroll, and seven minutes before the break the Magpies could have taken the lead through Graham Burke's rocket from 25 yards, only for O'Donnell to tip the ball over.

The Saddlers continued to push on after the restart and saw Cook head against the post before firing against the woodwork in a frantic two-minute spell.

Cook thought he had scored when he saw a header clip the bar and drop onto the line before it was hacked clear, before he was denied again by a superb save by Carroll.

Substitute Liam Noble proved a livewire for the visitors as he shot wide of the post shortly after coming on before testing O'Donnell with a low drive.

During the attack, Garry Thompson appeared to have been held back by Adam Chambers, prompting penalty calls which were not answered.

With the ball still in play, Jordan Williams then let rip with an effort towards goal that took a deflection and went out for a corner.

In the final stages of the game, Gary Jones was sent clean through from a Noble pass and tried to beat O'Donnell at his near post, but the Walsall keeper pulled off a smart save to ultimately see the game end goalless.

Notts stopped the rot today but will rue the missed opportunity of securing a priceless three points as they held Scunthorpe United to a 2-2 draw at Meadow Lane.

The visitors began in outstanding fashion as they won two successive corners in the first minute.

From the second of these, Paddy Madden’s header was tipped on to the bar by Kevin Pilkington, before Theo Robinson pounced to nod in the rebound.

Notts quickly came back as a fingertip save by Luke Daniels from a Garry Thompson strike stopped the hosts from pulling level.

Gary Jones then let fly from distance but Daniels just managed to hold on to the ball. A few minutes later, however, he smashed an effort into the net from 25 yards which left Daniels helpless.

The home side continued to fashion the better of the chances as Daniels rushed out quickly to deny former Iron loanee Jimmy Spencer as he raced clear.

Scunthorpe then came close to retaking the lead on the half hour mark as Isaiah Osbourne was fouled on the edge of the box and Gary McSheffrey's free kick was deflected narrowly wide.

The Iron started the second half strongly as a weighted pass from Liam O’Neil found Robinson who then released McSheffrey, but Kevin Pilkington was quick to smother his effort.

Notts replied quickly as they won a free kick 25 yards out and Sean Newton’s effort clipped the top of the bar before going over.

They then took the lead with 15 minutes to go as a ball into the box fell to the feet of Balint Bajner, who lashed home from 12 yards out.

Scunthorpe fought their way back into the match, though, and four minutes from time a McSheffrey free kick found Niall Canavan in the box, heading home via the post.

Notts find themselves ever closer to the League One drop zone after capitulating in the second half at the hands of the MK Dons in a 4-1 thrashing.

The first concrete chance of the game came in the tenth minute when Carl Baker swept an effort just wide of the post.

Ben Reeves had a shot blocked and Roy Carroll was forced into several smart saves by efforts from Lewis Baker and Daniel Powell.

Devante Cole was then sent clean through on 20 minutes but his shot went wide, before Ben Reeves forced another great save from Carroll.

The Dons were unable to break the deadlock in the first half, but just after the hours they eventually opened the scoring when Carl Baker collected Reeves's pass before smashing home.

Notts conceded again in the 75th minute as Lewis Baker scored with a cheeky lob, but the deficit was halved six minutes later when substitute Jimmy Spencer forced a save from David Martin that was spilled out to Elliott Whitehouse, who tapped home to make it 2-1.

The hosts regained their two-goal cushion with seven minutes remaining when Dean Bowditch reached the byline before lashing a cutback towards Grigg, who poked home to kill off the game.

Grigg then added a fourth in stoppage time to compound Notts's misery and leave them with a lot of work to do if they are to survive the drop.

Another matchday, another defeat. The dark clouds truly are hovering above Meadow Lane. Rochdale were this week's beneficiaries, helping themselves to three points at Notts County's ground on Tuesday night as the Magpies lost 2-1.

The hosts threatened first through Paddy McCourt, who weaved his way into the area before attempting a lob that failed to trouble Jamie Jones but showed intent.

Dale countered through Ian Henderson, who got to a Tom Kennedy cross at the back post but saw his volley go over.

The 30-year-old came close again not long after as he fired wide with the outside of his right foot, but Notts were then able to push on as McCourt strode forward and sent a low shot towards goal that the Dale keeper kept out.

Shaun Derry’s charges were smelling blood and went on to take the lead on the half-hour mark, as Elliott Whitehouse’s cross ricocheted off the back post and out, where Garry Thompson was able to nod into the net.

Sadly the visitors were level after just five minutes, Mike Edwards’s misjudged back header was seized upon by Henderson, who piled forward and slotted home.

Notts set about trying to restore their lead and came within a whisker of doing so when Leroy Lita cut the ball back to Thompson, but he failed to connect from close range.

The score was 1-1 come the break, and after the restart the Magpies threatened as Thompson drew a brilliant save from Jones.

Just as Notts were beginning to build momentum, however, Dale went on to take the lead when Henderson's long-range shot cannoned off the foot of the post.

The ball came back out to Peter Vincenti who, with an open goal, had the simple task of slotting home, and he did just that.

Notts appeared to crumble after conceding their second of the game and, despite a decent Blair Adams effort that Jones was able to keep out, Dale were able to hold on for all three points and consign the hosts to yet another defeat.

Today it honestly looked like it was going to be another stumble towards the trapdoor, yet another phase of the freefall.

Luckily, Notts County managed to nab a point against Bradford City this afternoon at Meadow Lane, thanks to Mike Edwards's thumping header in the second half.

County had gone the closest up to then in a tight first half when Garry Thompson’s goal-bound header against his old club was blocked in front of the net by Gary MacKenzie before being cleared.

Curtis Thompson then tried his luck from 25 yards as his shot whistled past the post, but as the half went in to added time, Francois Zoko powered past Hayden Mullins and, from the byline, teed up Jon Stead to break the deadlock.

City had great chances to extend their advantage after the break, particularly when James Hanson and Zoko were both denied on the line.

Notts kept plugging, however, and they then pulled it back 15 minutes from time as Edwards thumped a header home following a corner from Gary Jones.

The Bantams went straight back on the attack, Hanson sending a looping header just wide, while Notts came close through Balint Bajner and Curtis Thompson.

The result edges Notts a notch up the League One table, with Shaun Derry's charges now sitting 18th, but still four points above the drop zone.

It was always going to be a hard task, wasn't it? Just a shame that it went from being promisingly goalless at the break to conceding three in the and having a man sent off - one who is increasingly proving a liability with his lack of discipline - in the second half of today's game, a 3-0 defeat away at Swindon Town.

The Magpies started brightly and could have taken the lead early on as Gary Jones and Liam Noble both tested goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

Swindon countered through Andy Williams, who had a chance when Haydn Hollis missed a clearance, but the Robins man bent his shot wide of the post.

The only moment of note being a flare up on far touchline that saw Jack Stephens and Paddy McCourt go in the book after a late tackle on Williams.

Swindon were passing well and making Notts work hard to keep them at bay, with the goalless scoreline remaining that way going into the break.

The hosts wasted a couple of chances in the first ten minutes after the restart, but just before the hour, they broke the deadlock.

Taylor Swift, picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, marauded into Notts's final third before unleashing a curling effort to beat Carroll at full length.*

Not long afterwards, Swift fired a shot that Carroll parried and in trying to get to the rebound bundled into Williams, prompting the referee to award the hosts a penalty.

Williams duly stepped up and sent the Northern Irishman the wrong way to double his side's lead.

After the goals Town controlled the game without creating much, and Notts self-destructed with six minutes to go when Liam Noble talked himself into two bookings and a sending off in quick succession.

It allowed Harry Toffolo to complete the scoring with the game nearing its conclusion, latching on to Massimo Luongo’s rebounded effort to score from close range.

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*Actually is John Swift. Since the match report is so miserable, I thought I'd throw you something to make you sit up.

Notts picked up a desperately-needed three points this evening as a Paddy McCourt goal in the second half was enough to seal a 1-0 win away at Colchester United. Within the opening ten minutes of the game, Gary Jones saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.

Moments later, Jamal Campbell-Ryce skipped past two defenders and struck a low shot that had to be tipped round the post by Sam Walker.

The Colchester stopper continued to shine as he denied JCR once again before saving a venomous drive by Blair Adams that looked destined for the top corner.

Notts risked conceding late on in the first half when slack defending left George Moncur with a free chance at goal, but Roy Carroll was equal to the effort.

Following the restart, the Northern Irish keeper had to be at his best to deny Gavin Massey, who had unlocked the Notts back line and raced through on goal.

The visitors were finally able to break the deadlock 68 minutes in when Campbell-Ryce curled a cross towards the back post, where McCourt was able to nod home.

Minutes later, Notts got out of jail again when a deflected Macauley Bonne strike was deflected and required Adams to clear off the line.

Following that attempt, the Magpies were able to see the game out and secure a much-needed three points.

Notts are by no means out of trouble, and there's a very tricky fixture away at Swindon Town this weekend, but it's a decent start - let's hope we're able to turn the corner now!

Another matchday, another defeat. A decent enough performance by Notts who nevertheless find themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against Port Vale.

The visitors dominated possession in the opening five minutes at Meadow Lane, but it was Notts who had the first chance when Liam Noble’s 20-yard strike was caught by Chris Neal.

Vale took the lead on seven minutes when Byron Moore curled a pass into the box for Williamson to run onto.

Roy Carroll and Mike Edwards got in each other’s way as the ball ricocheted across the area to Mark Marshall and, faced with an open goal, the winger made no mistake as he volleyed home.

Minutes later, Michael Brown’s low strike from long range was well held by Carroll before Jamal Campbell-Ryce found Paddy McCourt in the box, but the subsequent low shot was well held by Neal.

Balint Bajner was next to threaten as his header was easily saved by the Vale keeper, and in the 34th minute McCourt cut inside to the area before unleashing a powerful drive which was also palmed away.

The veteran Northern Irishman continued to impress when he found Garry Thompson behind the defence but his low strike from 12 yards forced another good save.

Garry Thompson’s effort was then well saved before County wasted another chance as Bajner chested the ball down not far from goal but volleyed over.

In the second half, Blair Adams volleyed over after a McCourt free kick sparked a goalmouth scramble.

County went close again on the hour when Adams drilled the ball across the six-yard box. Garry Thompson tried to connect but could only deflect the ball straight to Neal.

Noble should then have scored when he rose to meet Mullins’s cross, but headed over from eight yards out.

The game almost swung back to the Magpies in the 71st minute when Campbell-Ryce broke free on the right of the area, but the Vale keeper was on top once again.

It wasn’t to be Notts’s day as, for all their bluster in the latter stages of the game, they were unable to find an equaliser as they gave away another three points.

They fall to 19th in the table and are three points from the drop zone. The way things are going, it’s time to think about a successive relegation battle.

Notts County fell to their second defeat in the space of five days - and their 10th in 14 games - after succumbing 2-1 at the hands of Fleetwood this afternoon.

The Magpies had a bright start to the game, opening the scoring after 11 minutes when Mike Edwards's knockdown fell to Garry Thompson, who let rip with a thundering strike that soared into the top corner.

Shaun Derry's charges could have pulled themselves further ahead when Chris Maxwell spilled a long ball punted into the box, with first Jeff Hughes and then Conor McLaughlin throwing themselves to block dangerous efforts from the visitors.

Just as it seemed that Notts were in pole position to add to their tally, the Fishermen drew level.

Nick Haughton picked out Antoni Sarcevic’s angled run into the right channel before drilling a low cross into the County box which Liam McAlinden calmly slotted home.

Haughton was also involved in his side's second and decisive strike as he charged as far as the byline before pulling the ball back across the goal for David Ball to tap in.

Town were dominant until Curtis Thompson was brought down by Stephen Crainey, who was given his marching orders by referee David Webb to leave Fleetwood a man down.

Notts then laid siege to the Cod Army goal in a bid to try and find an equaliser, but Chris Maxwell pulled off a handful of reaction saves to preserve the lead.

Ultimately, the final whistle blew to condemn the Magpies to their 10th defeat in 14 games in all competitions.

Not a terrible performance from Notts on Tuesday, but nevertheless another defeat at home as our season continues to show signs of unravelling as Sheffield United come to Meadow Lane and secure a 2-1 win.

The first concrete chance of the game came in the eighth minute when Blair Adams sprinted down the left wing before sending a cross the way of Curtis Thompson, who backheeled the ball towards Mustapha Dumbuya.

The Sierra Leone international, however, wasn’t able to capitalise with his wayward effort.

United countered when Brayford marauded into the Notts box before setting up Jamie Murphy, but the forward scuffed his subsequent effort wide.

The 25-year-old soon made up for that miss by striking the opening goal for the Blades.

With Dumbuya backing off the ball, Murphy boredown on goal and lashed a shot into the far corner of the net past Roy Carroll.

Notts set about trying to find an equaliser and Garry Thompson tried after collecting a Liam Noble pass, but the ensuing effort flew over the bar.

Soon enough, the levelling goal came courtesy of Terry Kennedy’s deflection that landed to Noble several yards from goal, albeit facing the wrong way.

With everybody expecting him to hold up the ball and try a pass, he instead smashed a delightful back heel into the ball which duly nestled into the net, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Notts were quick off the starting blocks after the restart, Garry Thompson and Balint Bajner trying their luck against goal.

However, the hosts were let down by lacklustre defending when, with just over ten minutes remaining, Bob Harris surged down the left sent a cutback across goal.

Matt Done then bundled the ball into the net to put the Blades back in front and ultimately secure the win.

Now, the league is so tight that Notts, despite being 17th, are actually equidistant from both the drop zone and the play-offs, but it's still a case of needing to look down now rather than up.

No Bajner, no party, goes the saying. Well, tonight Balint Bajner was present against Leyton Orient, and his goal secured all three points for a Notts County side that looked to be going off the rails – which set off a party among the Magpie faithful and the hundred or so Bajnerites that travelled from Hungary especially to see their cult hero in action for his new team.

Early on in the game at Brisbane Road, Liam Noble slotted a pass through to Garry Thompson, who powered towards goal but blasted his effort just wide of the far post.

The visitors then threatened when a goalmouth scramble at the Notts end was eventually cleared away by Mike Edwards.

In the 20th minute, the Magpies broke the deadlock, and what a moment it was.

Bajner played a one-two with Garry Thompson before the Hungarian swivelled and slotted a low shot past Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

The world’s best player then ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate with a group of fans that had travelled especially from Hungary.

Orient set about trying to level proceedings, and there were several problematic moments for Notts as the game edged towards half time, but Shaun Derry’s charges were able to hold out to go in a goal ahead at the break.

The hosts continued to exert pressure on the Magpies as the match went on, but serious chances were at a premium until the latter stages of the game when substitute Dean Cox forced Carroll into a smart save down low.

The 27-year-old then lofted a ball towards the back post, where Ryan Hedges, who was in a great position, fired wide.

Notts were however able to see the game out and secure all three points to climb to 14th in the table.

Where did it all go wrong? Another matchday, another defeat, this time at home against local rivals Chesterfield. A freakish Caolan Lavery goal midway through the second half proved the difference between the two sides, as the Magpies now find themselves in 16th place and looking down rather than up.

Sam Clucas had the game's first effort on goal for the visitors in the tenth minute when he received a lay-off from Jay O'Shea inside the box.

The resulting effort was beaten away by Roy Carroll, as Chesterfield were then caught on the break, Balint Bajner marauding into their final third before drilling a low shot narrowly wide of goalkeeper Tommy Lee's left-hand post.

Just before the quarter-hour mark, the world's best player had a close-range shot saved by Lee, before the rebounding ball was poked wide, and moments later, the Spireites keeper used his legs to keep out Curtis Thompson's shot at his near post.

Both sides continued to trade chances throughout the remainder of the first half, but at the break, it remained goalless.

Chesterfield then took the game by the scruff of the neck after the restart, as Armand Gnanduillet headed off-target from a Jimmy Ryan cross and O'Shea's low shot was saved by Carroll.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half when an attempted clearance from Haydn Hollis saw the ball strike Lavery before looping high into the air, over Carroll and into the goal.

The visitors continued to push forward and Byron Harrison threatened to find a way through when Clucas played the ball into the area, but Carroll came off his line to claim in due time.

Despite five minutes of added time being played out at the end of the game, Notts were unable to find an equaliser at the death and had to endure another loss at home.

Oh dear. Notts County's season is unraveling right before our very eyes.

We've now slipped into the bottom half of the table following a thumping 3-0 defeat away at Oldham Athletic.

Following such a bright start, the wheel appears to be falling off the wheelbarrow, which could make the next few months uncomfortable for the Magpies faithful.

The Latics started brightly and had Shaun Derry’s side on the back foot in the opening stages, but failed to thoroughly test Roy Carroll.

Notts then enjoyed a lively spell as Oldham goalkeeper Jake Kean was forced to tip over a Will Hayhurst free kick midway through the half.

But just as the visitors looked to up the tempo and strike first blood, Amari Morgan-Smith fired in a shot that was cleared as far as Liam Kelly.

The midfielder crossed perfectly onto the head of George Elokobi and he duly wrong-footed the goalkeeper to give the Latics the lead.

Notts were still reeling from conceding against the run of play when their opponents doubled the lead minutes later, Morgan-Smith latching onto a perfectly weighted ball over the top by Carl Winchester before slotting past Carroll.

Although the Magpies began the second half with intent, they had to rely on the Northern Irish stopper to pull of a series of stunning saves from Oldham in the second half as the visitors cranked the pressure, while ex-Notts loanee Jonathan Forte struck the crossbar with an overhead kick.

Ultimately, the killer goal was struck in the 73rd minute when Winchester dummied the ball into the path of Connor Brown, who then set up Forte to nod home.

The result means that Oldham climb to 10th in League One, two points shy of the top six, while Notts County are now 13th after only one win in their last nine league matches.

Notts County were undone by goals from Marcus Maddison and Christian Burgess as Peterborough United came away from the League One clash at Meadow Lane with a 2-1 win.

The 21-year-old striker gave the visitors the lead when his turn and shot from 25 yards took a deflection off Hayden Mullins to wrongfoot goalkeeper Roy Carroll just before the quarter-hour mark.

The visitors were looking for a penalty shortly after when Conor Washington went down under a challenge in the area, but the official waved away the appeals.

The home side started to get the better of proceedings after the half-hour mark with Balint Bajner particularly involved.

The world's best player broke clear midway through the half, rode a challenge from Burgess which could have led to a red card, and was ultimately denied by a fine save from Scott Loach.

Garry Thompson then pulled the Magpies level towards the end of the first half when made the most of some space to blast a wonderful volley into the Posh net.

Notts, however, failed to keep that momentum going after the restart, and they were duly punished just after the hour when Burgess headed in Joe Newell’s corner.

The hosts set about trying to level proceedings once again and Will Hayhurst forced Loach into a great save to keep out his free kick at full stretch.

Notts continued to press for a leveler and Ronan Murray then saw a shot saved by Loach, but the visitors hung on for only their second win in 13 matches.

Notts County found themselves under the cosh on many occasions and suffered at the hands of some contentious refereeing, but still managed to secure a decent point away at Doncaster Rovers this afternoon.

The hosts began with plenty of drive, but goalkeeper Roy Carroll largely remained untroubled with Haydn Hollis pulling off some smart tackles in the early stages.

Notts then nearly opened the scoring when Alan Smith smashed a 25-yard drive against the bar.

The rebound hit Stephen Bywater in the back mid-save but the ball didn’t have the momentum to cross the line.

In response, Kyle Bennett curled a cross towards the centre that James Coppinger headed just wide.

As the game went on, chances were becoming increasingly at a premium for both sides.

With 15 minutes to go, Luke McCullough rose to meet a Harry Forrester centre but his header soared over the crossbar.

And then Carroll pulled off a series of smart saves from the 24-year-old as well as from Curtis Main to keep his side's clean sheet intact.

Notts were reduced to ten men when Kwame Thomas, already booked, was shown a second yellow for taking too long to come off during a substitution,

Billy Daniels then entered the field before Richard Clark realised he had already shown Thomas a yellow card earlier in the game.

Ordering Daniels back to the bench, Clark then showed Thomas a second yellow which meant a dismissal and left Derry in a rage and himself sent to the stands.

Nevertheless, the Magpies were able to hold on for the point.