In Notts County's first match following the departure of Chris Kiwomya, the Meadow Lane faithful were treated to a five-goal thriller against Oldham Athletic which, we are glad to announce, went the right way, as the Magpies won a topsy-turvy match 3-2. Danny Haynes got on the end of a great Greg Tempest cross to head his side into the lead, before Adam Rooney bundled the ball into the Notts net on the stroke of half-time. The hour mark saw Notts triple their tally courtesy of Yoann Arquin and Callum McGregor, before a free kick from Johnson Clarke-Harris and twenty minutes of extensive pressure from Oldham ensured the home fans wouldn't need nail clippers for the next few weeks.

Caretaker manager Steve Hodge opted to give Academy defender Jordan Holt his debut at left-back, in a makeshift starting eleven which excluded Mustapha Dumbuya, Marcus Haber, Dean Leacock and Adam Coombes. Bartosz Bialkowski and Jack Grealish would return to the team, though, after their respective short-term injury spells.

Notts had a good start to the first half, Haynes crossing to Tempest on five minutes, the youngster heading wide, before the former had a chance of his own two minutes later.

Grealish also managed to get two quick corners in succession and Joss Labadie was put clean through by Curtis Thompson, the move sadly disallowed for offside.

Tempest and Haynes linked up again on 20 minutes, the striker's effort being deflected wide for a very significant corner - taken by Sheehan, Tempest got on it, then crossed over to Haynes for a very well placed header into the back of the net.

Oldham tried to push forward following the goal, but succeeded only in obtaining the first yellow card of the game, courtesy of David Mellor's foul on Labadie.

Grealish was next to try his luck, his header from the centre of the box going just wide. Sheehan was key there with a great cross.

On the half hour mark, James Wesolowski tried to pull one back for Oldham with a shot from outside the box, but this went well wide.

More half-chances would continue to be traded, though Labadie found himself one-on-one with Mark Oxley on 38, a great chance, but the Oldham keeper did just enough to deflect the shot.

The next significant act in the game was, sadly, yet another of those sucker punches which Notts have been suffering from all season. After a scrappy exchange between the two teams, Rooney managed to connect his head onto the ball and it did just enough to breach the goal line. The linesman awarded the goal, and on the cusp of half-time, 1-1 it was.

The start of the second half saw Manny Smith replace Thompson because of an injury, Gary Liddle shifting to right-back in the process.

The first significant contribution of the half was from the Latics, James Dayton breaching the Notts defence but overhitting his chip past the goal.

On 52, the same player attempted a right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left hand side of the Notts goal, but luckily it was just a bit too high.

After several more Oldham chances, courtesy of Mellor and Clarke-Harris, it was Notts' turn to do the sucker-punching after the game seemed to be slipping from beneath them. Liddle's cross was duly converted by Arquin on the hour, and 2-1 it was, to the joy of the three and a half thousand Notts fans in the stadium.

The pendulum would swing Notts' way, as the next ten minutes would all be Notts - courtesy of attempts by Haynes and McGregor - before the young Scot, stellar all season for the Magpies, then got his sixth league goal of the season thanks to a sweet left footed shot which sailed past Oxley.

There was a catch, though. We weren't to go into the 70th minute without Oldham getting a goal back. A soft free kick by Clarke-Harris pulled it back to 3-2.

The rest of the game was virtually all Oldham. Rooney and Anton Rodgers weighed in with shots, but thanks to a great defensive display in the final twenty minutes, Notts ground out the win. The Magpies find themselves off the foot of the table and in double figures for points. Though we can't declare we've turned a corner just yet - it would be the third time this season at least - it's a positive, and combined with the departure of Chris Kiwomya, it looks like real change is finally coming to Meadow Lane at last.

Another match day, another defeat. It seems almost like Notts County are starting matches a goal down. Today's visitors at Meadow Lane were Preston North End, and despite Notts' overall decent performance, Iain Hume's 74th minute goal was unanswered, and at this stage of our season, we cannot keep throwing points away. Chris Kiwomya's squad suffered several injuries prior to the game, meaning changes had to be made. Fabian Speiss replaced Bartosz Bialkowski, Alan Sheehan filled the centre-back role vacated by Manny Smith, and Curtis Thompson played as a right-back.

Mustapha Dumbuya was slotted in the left-back position. Also, Joss Labadie and Danny Haynes replaced Mark Fotheringham and Yoann Arquin.

The Magpies had to withstand a barrage of shots from Preston, riding high in the league, in the opening minutes of the game. On the 11th minute came the first Notts chance, Greg Tempest curling a shot towards the bottom left corner. This was saved by keeper Declan Rudd.

More Liliwhites chances came knocking in the ensuing period, Stuart Beavon and Keith Keane firing just over.

On 22 minutes, some good passing set free Adam Coombes, but he fired wide.

On 33 came the next big moment, Speiss having to be sharp to thwart Beavon's strike following a defensive slip-up.

Preston would get increasingly physical as the game went on - Haynes was impeded on 33 but nothing was given, while just a few minutes later, Kevin Davies went in with an elbow on Sheehan. This was only given a yellow card.

On 37, Haynes capitalised on a Preston defensive slip-up, but like Beavon earlier on, this couldn't breach the respective net.

Notts had a good little spell after that, Thompson drawing a foul, and Sheehan's free kick falling to Andre Boucaud. His shot saved, Coombes then headed wide.

John Welsh then launched in with a nasty tackle on 44, for which he was booked, while a minute later, Haynes received a yellow of his own for a foul on Bailey Wright.

Half time out of the way, the second half restarted with Callum McGregor receiving a Coombes pass and firing just over, before later providing a cut-back for Tempest, whose great effort was saved well by Rudd.

On 52, County had the upper hand, a Boucaud free kick testing the Preston defence to the limit and allowing McGregor to come close again.The ensuing corner forced Rudd to make another good save, this time from Coombes.

On 69, Josh Brownhill burst through on goal, but a brave save thwarted him, the rebound from Hume going wide.

Sadly, the substitute player scored just five minutes later, tapping in from close range after Scott Laird beat his marker on the left wing and produced a great cross upon which the finish was applied by Hume.

The rest of the game was virtually all Preston, as Laird, Hume and Keane kept pounding away, but they will be happy with the goal, the clean sheet and the three away points as the final whistle blew on the game.

Frankly, if we can't break this cycle of one step forward and three steps back, the final whistle will be blowing on our spell in League 1.

Notts County started well, and they finished well, but the middle bit left a lot to be desired as they slipped to another defeat, this time away to Gillingham. 2-1 was the final score after Chris Whelpdale and Danny Kedwell netted two goals in the space of five first-half minutes, strikes that shouldn't have gone in. Wonderkid Callum McGregor's strike in the second half, fantastic as it was, proved nothing more than a consolation. Chris Kiwomya began the game in a 4-3-2-1 formation, Yoann Arquin the lone striker in front of a midfield of McGregor, Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Greg Tempest, Andre Boucaud and Mark Fotheringham. Manny Smith partnered Gary Liddle in centre-back, the latter named as captain.

The first chance of the game fell to former Notts player Myles Weston, whose right footed shot went wide.

Notts were decent in the opening spell, enjoying a fair bit of possession and winning several free kicks. JCR managed to get a shot in early on too, while Sheehan also joined the action, his left footed shot falling straight to Nelson on the eleven minute mark.

Except for a chance by Charlie Lee on 16 minutes - courtesy of some slack defending, a sign of things to come - it was mostly Notts doing the threatening, JCR and Fotheringham weighing in with chances of their own.

Then, and how many times have I written it this season, came the sucker punch. Whelpdale capitalised on defensive errors to slot the ball into the bottom corner on 24 minutes.

Barely five minutes passed when the Gills doubled their lead, this time Kedwell doing the damage, again being given the opportunity on a platter from the Pies.

Notts, the wind out of their sails, did manage a great shot which rattled off the crossbar pretty soon after, courtesy of the returning - Campbell-Ryce, but on the whole, more goals could have been conceded if not for the Gills' profligacy in front of goal. Likewise, Notts were able to get quite a few crosses into the Gills box, but with nobody to get onto the end of them, it meant the scoreline remained 2-0 at half time.

Bartosz Bialkowski was once again on top form, stopping balls from Michael Harriman, Weston and Whelpdale, while outfield for the Pies, JCR worked his socks off and got several chances in towards the hour.

The Gillingham clean sheet was finally breached as McGregor unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box on 79 minutes, right past ex-Notts stopper Stuart Nelson, to make it 2-1.

Between 82 and 86 minutes, Notts managed four corners. One a minute. And yet, they weren't able to make anything from those. Gillingham successfully weathered the storm, and as it was, the match ended 2-1 to the home side. Notts remain in the drop zone, and after seemingly taking several steps forward after the Tranmere and Crewe games, we have stumbled a dozen steps back.

After what felt like an eternity of international football, Notts were back in action at the County Ground against Swindon Town, but sadly, despite Bartosz Bialkowski's heroics, they were unable to withstand the barrage from the home side, losing 2-0 after two first half goals from former Newcastle prospect Nile Ranger and Danny N'Guessan. An injury to on-loan Villa prodigy Jack Grealish meant Adam Coombes was slotted in his place, Chris Kiwomya keeping the 4-3-3 side which had been so successful prior to the international break. The Magpies began well, as they created chances early on.

Two of Alan Sheehan's free kicks threatening in the first ten minutes, However, Swindon drew first blood in the 11th minute, Ranger's header from an Alex Pritchard corner breaching Notts' clean sheet.

Bart stopped the scoreline from becoming 2-0 just moments later, his deflection denying Pritchard's header after the restart. Mustapha Dumbuya and Dean Leacock then proceeded to clear the danger.

Callum McGregor unleashed one of his trademark long distance howitzers on the quarter hour mark after finding space in the Robins' half, but keeper Wes Foderingham was equal to it.

On 28, Dumbuya fouled Nathan Byrne on the byline, thus conceding a penalty. N'Guessan made no mistake from the spot.

2-0 down, Notts wouldn't take it lying down. McGregor tried another long range effort which flew just wide, while Danny Haynes managed to nutmeg the keeper and into the net, but this was ruled out for offside.

Andre Boucaud, the Magpies midfield maestro, sent Dumbuya clear on the right wing, but the subsequent cross was dealt with on 36 minutes. while just before half time, Gary Liddle was at hand to deny another Ranger effort.

Notts were under the cosh straight away after the restart, but Bart made a great save from a Swindon free kick, before being saved by the woodwork just after.

On 53, Jay McEveley attempted his best Callum McGregor impression with a 30-yard shot, but this was just over the bar.

This would continue for a while, as Swindon began to run rampant. Ranger would have several more shots, as would Yaser Kasim and Massimo Luongo. Bart made impressive saves each time.

Then came the lifeline. Boucaud played in Haynes, who then threated through to McGregor. The young Scot was then felled in the box, prompting the referee to blow for a penalty. Haynes would take, to take the scoreline to 2-1 and give Notts a chance... but sadly he fired well over. 2-0 still.

More chances continued to be traded, McEveley firing wide not long after the penalty and Haber unable to control the stray ball after Foderingham attempted to clear off his line. Another McGregor shot went just wide on 78, before Bart made yet another amazing save from Byrne on 84.

Two more chances would be on the cards, Fotheringham (that's the Notts midfielder) heading against Foderingham (Swindon keeper), while at the other end Byrne once again bothered the woodwork.

An exciting game eventually finished 2-0, but the scoreline could have been so different were it not for Bart's immense saves and were we a little more clinical in front of the Swindon goal.

Notts County made the most of a bumper crowd on Saturday to record an emphatic, crushing win against Crewe, scoring four past them and keeping a clean sheet in the process. Callum McGregor was undoubtedly the star of the game, scoring two superb goals in the first half, before playing a hand in Danny Haynes' goal for Notts' third. Marcus Haber then wrapped up the comprehensive victory with a fine looping header. Chris Kiwomya, having been suitable impressed by the victory against Tranmere and the positive display away at Carlisle, kept the same starting eleven as in those two games.

On the bench, Romello Nangle made way for Adam Coombes. Courtesy of the reduced ticket prices, just under 6,000 people sat in the home stands at Meadow Lane, and it wouldn't be long before they would be treated to some action (after a quiet first ten minutes). Mustapha Dumbuya, assisted by McGregor and Jack Grealish, saw his cross/shot blocked, and shortly after, Grealish then hit the bar with his cross.

Alan Sheehan would suffer an injury and have to come off on twelve minutes, Greg Tempest coming on for him.

Joss Labadie then came agonisingly close with a header from about two yards out, bouncing out literally a foot outside the post.

Notts would impose themselves on the game in the first thirty minutes, and although Crewe would get a couple of half-chances, the home side dominated possession and play. Then, on the 33rd minute, the impressive McGregor found space and lashed a marvellous shot past the keeper and into the goal from 25 yards. 1-0 Notts.

Crewe, missing several key players, kept plugging away in a bid to restore parity, Byron Moore and Max Clayton getting some decent chances in, but the unstoppable McGregor produced another moment of magic to double Notts' lead, his left-footed shot from the centre of the box beating Steve Phillips once again on 41 minutes. Dumbuya was instrumental in this goal, courtesy of his good work on the right wing.

The Notts players were treated to a standing ovation at the end of the first half for their efforts and two-goal lead, but much better was to come in the second half.

Grealish was Ronaldo-esque in his play, and despite getting fouled repeatedly by the Crewe players, he was unfazed. On 51 minutes, his backheel pass fell to McGregor, who fired just wide. A shame, for that would have certainly been a contender for Goal of the Season.

Not to worry, because Notts weren't finished yet. A Mark Fotheringham free kick on 55 minutes very nearly went in and proved a signal of intent. Just after the hour, Grealish's chipped shot wasn't dealt with appropriately by Phillips, and all Danny Haynes had to do was smash it into an open net from six yards. 3-0 Notts, the fans unable to believe what was happening given their league position.

Tempest was also on fine form, marauding into the Alex half at every opportunity and providing fine crosses, one of which nearly led to Labadie heading it in. The youngster did manage to bag himself a worthy assist, however, on 83 minutes, as his delivery was met by the head of Haber - on for Haynes who suffered an injury - for the fourth. A great looping header, it provided the icing on the cake for what was an absolute pleasure of a matchday for the Notts fans.

Notts have benefited greatly from such a display and result - they're now out of the relegation zone, and the four unanswered goals have gone some way to restoring a goal difference statistic battered by the games against Leyton Orient and Peterborough.

Unlucky. Hard done by. Sucker punched. Just a couple of words to describe our game today against Carlisle. Having dominated the majority of the first half and taken the lead through Callum McGregor, the home side then equalised through a soft free kick by Matt Robson. The second half saw Carlisle take the lead through David Amoo, before shutting up shop - their keeper, Mark Gillespie, was incredible, and unfortunately those factors made all the difference. Chris Kiwomya picked an unchanged team from the good win agaist Tranmere, playing a 4-3-3 for Notts.

The starting 11 consisted of Bart, Sheehan, Leacock, Liddle, Dumbuya, Labadie, Fotheringham, Boucaud, McGregor, Haynes and Grealish.

Interestingly, Notts legend Mike Edwards was out for Carlisle, as was Troy Archibald-Henville and Lee Miller - three of their best players all out.

A quiet first ten minutes saw nothing more than a knock in the first minute for Carlisle defender Sean O'Hannell, free kicks for both sides and some good passing football from Notts.

On fifteen minutes, a great chance by Boucaud was smartly saved by Gillespie - that was after the same player accidentally played in David Amoo, but Bart was equal to it.

On 25 minutes, Carlisle's Mark Beck was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance after a cock up from Bart, his clearance completely miscued.

Notts eventually took the lead 27 minutes in, after Boucaud played in Callum McGregor, who then unleashed a great long rage low shot.

Carlisle were clearly second best, and aside from a couple of half-chances, never quite threatened. However, they still managed to pull a goal back - a soft free kick was conceded by Joss Labadie, and the ensuing set-piece was drilled through the Notts wall by Robson and past Bart.

From then on, the rest of the half was swings and roundabouts, Carlisle having good possession and another chance by Amoo, but Notts finishing it strongly, with Dean Leacock rampaging into the home box and McGregor finding the side netting.

The second half began emphatically, with Amoo getting close to the Notts box, before a Haynes chance from a tight angle flashed across the goal, both of these in the first few minutes of the half.

Sheehan had a good chance from a set piece on 53 minutes, but it went straight to Gillespie. From the counter-attack, Carlisle surged forward, and James Berrett's chance was saved by Bart, but the rebound came to Amoo, who slotted the ball in from a tight angle. And from leading the game, Notts were now behind.

The away side tried to come back sharpish, Sheehan's tackle near the Notts box setting up a counter attack for a chance which was fired wide by McGregor on 57.

After a lull in terms of chances, the ball fell to Robson, who had all the time in the world to take a shot, but luckily it hit the side netting from long range. Just a minute later, Amoo and Symington combined to once again threaten the Notts box.

Undeterred, Sheehan and Boucaud lined up to take their chances on 72 and very nearly pulled level but for Gillespie's great saves. The ensuing corner by McGregor was saved by the keeper, having such a great day that he found himself receiving applause by the home crowd.

The next few minutes were also bedlam, McGregor trying another long-range shot before another one of Carlisle's good counter-attacks which was fended off by Notts, Beck trying his luck.

Just two minutes later, Haber was next to try his luck, but by this point, Gillespie was playing like a man possessed, his legs keeping Notts out once again.

Coming into the last ten minutes, and Notts found themselves a goal-line clearance away from equalising, Gillespie actually beaten at this point but Leon McSweeney at hand - or at foot? - to bail him out.

More exchanges took place in the last ten minutes from both sides plus injury time, including a great headed chance by the substitute Manny Smith and a foray into the Carlisle area by our Bart himself, but the immovable object of Gillespie just couldn't be moved, and 2-1 was the final score.

Notts were considerably hard done by today, having played so well, but those soft goals conceded, combined with Mark Gillespie's outstanding performance between the sticks, meant the points were Carlisle's, their third victory in a row. Notts are in 23rd, off the bottom solely on goals scored. The wooden spoon after today falls to... Sheffield United.

Notts County finally, after seven games and six weeks of hurt, managed to secure the first win of the season with a convincing win against Tranmere Rovers. The first goal came within the first five minutes of the game, as Joss Labadie's header drew first blood. After an exciting game of football in which Jack Grealish showed off his stellar talent and Labadie pulled the strings in midfield Andrea Pirlo-style, the victory was all but secured with substitute Marcus Haber's tap-in. In all fairness, Tranmere were lucky to leave Nottingham having conceded just two goals!

Chris Kiwomya reshuffled his team once again after the horrendous 5-1 defeat away at Leyton Orient, playing a 4-5-1 formation with Danny Haynes leading the line.

Notts began the game very well, with Haynes getting an early shot and some good link up play between him, Labadie and McGregor.

That was a precursor to better things, though, as, following on from a Notts free-kick, Alan Sheehan got a cross in, which fell to Haynes' head. His knock on was then headed in by Labadie for Notts County's first lead since the Peterborough game in August. 1-0 Magpies.

Notts would continue to assert their dominance over Tranmere for the next half hour or so. On 12 minutes, McGregor set up Haynes after a one-two, which was blocked, while Boucaud had a shot on 22. Shortly afterwards, Sheehan got his head on the ball which went just over.

Grealish was ever-present in the first half, constantly troubling the Tranmere defenders in the box, and very nearly got on the scoresheet several times, as well as winning several corners.

Tranmere weren't totally anodyne, as they weighed in with several chances of their own. on 32 minutes, Akpa Akpro's shot was wide, which was just as well as it should have been stopped for handball. Moments later, Max Power's shot from 30 yards was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski. And in the final minute of the half, Evan Horwood had a free header, but Bart was again at hand to stop it.

The second half picked up from where the first left off, the brilliant Grealish firing just over from outside the box on 47, while the equally brilliant Boucaud, pulling the strings in midfield, threated the ball through to Haynes, whose shot was saved and rebounded against the post.

Akpa Akpro was undoubtedly the dangerman for Tranmere, his volley early on in the second half troubling Bart and his header smashing against the woodwork on 74 minutes.

On 80 minutes, things got twice as good for Notts, as Mustapha Dumbuya's ball fell to substitute Marcus Haber, who tapped it in to double the home side's lead.

Even with the victory secured, County had more chances to make the scoreline a thorough drubbing, Sheehan and Haber coming very close in the dying stages.

Finally, the whistle was blown, and the Notts fans who had kept the faith - just over 3,500 - jumped for joy and relief after being thoroughly entertained and seeing their team quadruple their total points tally in the space of the afternoon.

Final score: Notts 2 - 0 Tranmere.

Just when you think things couldn't get worse for Notts County, they do. Yes, an away trip to a team that won their first six games on the bounce and boasting a goal difference of +12 was always going to be a tough ask, but to lose 5-1 marks a new low. Leyton Orient was the team which administered such punishment to the Magpies on a cold Tuesday evening in September, as if things couldn't get any frostier over at the club. Chris Kiwomya decided to completely reshuffle his team and formation, starting in a 3-5-1-1 formation with Enda Stevens and David Bell as the right-backs.

A back three of Gary Liddle, Dean Leacock and Alan Sheehan, a midfield of Callum McGregor, Andre Boucaud and Mark Fotheringham, and Jack Grealish behind Marcus Haber in attack.

In all fairness, Notts didn't begin too badly. McGregor and Grealish had shots in the first fifteen minutes, while Romain Vincelot's cross nearly looped into the Notts net. Vincelot's shot was the swing of the pendulum towards Orient, as Kevin Lisbie headed wide just a minute later and Tommy Mooney unleashed a powerful shot which was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski. On twenty minutes, a free-kick was swung in and nearly threatened, but for Nathan Clarke's inability to connect.

Notts did have several more chances, courtesy of Grealish and Haber, but sadly, Notts found themselves behind - as has pretty much always been the case this season - in the 28th minute to dangerman Lisbie, who was practically unmarked as he headed in from Lloyd James' free-kick. 1-0 Orient.

Notts did gain the upper hand in terms of play from then on, with an inspired Andre Boucaud doing particularly well, and Fotheringham did get a decet shot after some good play in midfield.

But the equaliser didn't come. The only thing that came was the next setback, the sucker punch, the doubling of the Orient lead on the stroke of half time, courtesy of that man again, the former Charlton player - back when they were in the Premiership - Kevin Lisbie, with a poacher's rebound after Dean Cox's shot.

After the half-time break, during which Manny Smith and Yoann Arquin came on in place of Fozzy and Stevens, Notts came out with intent, Bell showing some skill on the wing before attempting a low cross which was saved, before a tame free kick chance where Leacock's header was comfortably saved.

And then... 3-0 to Orient. The defence was caught napping again, and Cox, given way too much time on the ball, lashed a powerful shot into the net, with some help from the right-hand post.

Credit to Notts, they never quite gave up, Sheehan and Bell with some good chances, before the young McGregor weighed in with a woodwork-bothering effort on 65. Eventually, the Magpies did breach the O's clean sheet, substitute Danny Haynes heading the ball into the top corner on 71 minutes, but there was no chance of a Liverpool-style comeback this time, because the home side, brimming with confidence even before the game, took advantage of a weak and unattentive Notts defence to score another two, courtesy of Shaun Batt and Jayden Stockley.

So here we are. Rock bottom, one solitary point out of a possible 21, having just conceded five in one game. The 154 travelling Notts fans couldn't even look forward to a positive trip home, despite having made such an effort to travel down to London on a weeknight to see their team.

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.

The feel-good factor following the Liverpool game lasted for all of thirty-seven minutes today at Meadow Lane, as an initially sprightly and confident Notts County fell to pieces once again, this time at the hands of Rotherham, who left Meadow Lane with all three points following a 1-0 win. The Millers took a lead against the run of play through Kieran Agard's close range strike, and never looked back, as Notts' atrocious form continued and left them deep in the relegation mire, behind only point-deduction sufferers Coventry City.

Chris Kiwomya began the game with a 4-5-1 formation, Dean Leacock returning to defence and Yoann Arquin the sole striker behind a packed V-shape midfield.

Buoyed by a crowd eager to watch the team that so thoroughly tested Liverpool in midweek, Notts began with swagger and confidence, and within five minutes had their first chance, but Millers keeper Scott Shearer was able to get to it.

The first proper opportunity for Notts came in the thirteenth minute, when David Bell fired a shot from the edge of the box which tested Shearer. In the same spell of action, JCR whistled a cross across the goalmouth but Arquin was unable to convert.

Rotherham's initial attempts were all well over, as the likes of Lee Frecklington blasted the ball in a manner befitting a rugby conversion. Gary Liddle in particular was on great form in defence, always getting to the ball just in time to block potentially threatening shots. There was even an amusing moment when Shearer completely misjudged a Leacock clearance, seeing it bounce right over his head. However it was nowhere close to goal.

One disappointment during this good period was that JCR had to be subbed off with an injury. Adam Coombes, the young Chelsea loanee and scorer of the equaliser against Liverpool, came on in his place.

Once again, Notts ended up conceding against the run of play. On 37, Mustapha Dumbuya, who in all honesty wasn't playing to his usual standard, conceded a free kick on the edge of his box due to a handball. The defender cautioned, Rotherham then whipped in a free kick, and following a chaotic goalmouth scramble, Agard was on hand to poke the ball home.

Following the goal, Rotherham began asserting their presence in the game, and half time came at just the right time, allowing Notts to regroup. In theory.

After a very enjoyable half time Cornish pasty which actually turned out to be the highlight of the afternoon in hindsight, business resumed from where it left off at the whistle.

In all fairness, Notts were the victims of several questionable decisions by the referee in the second half, many of them relating to Rotherham's rough and tumble style, which intensified over time as they tried to see how much they could push their luck.

But the more minutes ticked by, the more Notts just drained in confidence, and by the end of the game they just ceased to threaten the Rotherham goal and miscuing several crosses and passes, much to the chagrin of the home crowd.

There were a couple of isolated instances in the second half where Notts threatened, when Coombes took a shot from the left hand side on 68 minutes following Enda Stevens' free kick, and later on when a penalty appeal was waved away following Coombes' marauding run in the box, which was impeded by two Rotherham defenders.

The game, however, would end 1-0, and there were few positives that could be taken after such a display. Notts have one point from 15 and sit in the relegation places, behind a team whose points tally is in the minus following a points deduction. If we can just close the book on a dire August - League Cup run aside - and start afresh in September, it would be best.

Baby steps must be taken to claw back points and confidence, then if we can start slowly climbing back up the table, then good, but we need to take it step by step, for this is now a relegation battle.

Could he, god forbid, knock him out? As it was, Apollo prevailed, just about, but nobody could begrudge Rocky for his titanic effort, especially when coming back down from an insurmountable position, and in the process, gained the respect and appreciation of the sporting world. Apollo tonight was played by Liverpool Football Club, while Notts County were sublime in their role as Rocky, taking the Premier League club into extra time and threatening a shock, before the Reds were able to finally labour to a 4-2 win against the Magpies. Chris Kiwomya began in a 4-4-2 formation, with new signing Enda Stevens, a loanee from Aston Villa, in the left-back position, while Gary Liddle, Manny Smith and Muzzy Dumbuya completed the defence. David Bell, Joss Labadie, Mark Fotheringham and JCR were in midfield, while Callum McGregor was pushed up front alongside Yoann Arquin.

For Liverpool, their starting line-up was a signal of intent that they were taking the competition seriously, fielding Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Kolo Toure and Daniel Sturridge in their starting 11.

Things did not start well for Notts, as the first chance for the Reds, in the fourth minute, was also their first goal. Raheem Sterling, the highly-rated England youngster who terrorised the Scotland Under 21s just two weeks ago, weaved through the Pies defence, before firing a shot which slipped past Bartosz Bialkowski's grip. 1-0 Liverpool.

The first twenty-five minutes were virtually all Liverpool, and included chances from Gerrard and Sturridge, while a free-kick from the Reds skipper was smashed against the post by the head of Daniel Agger, subbed on after an injury to Aly Cissokho. When Notts enjoyed their first spell of possession on twenty-six, the passes were greeted with enthusiastic "OLE!"s from the travelling contingent. Manny Smith had a half-chance which went straight to Reds keeper Simon Mignolet, while at the other end, Jordon Ibe and Sterling threatened the Notts goal.

On the half-hour mark, it seemed like Notts' night was crashing around them, as Liverpool got their second. Gerrard, unplayable at the best of times, played a beautiful defence-splitting through ball to Sturridge, who then smashed it past Bart. 2-0, and I won't lie, the words "Spain versus Tahiti" began flashing into my head. Notts would be lucky not to concede any more in the first half, as the defenders stepped it up a gear - JCR was playing like a man possessed, both in attack and in defence, while Liddle was responsible for a great charge down against Toure. Then, Bart's amazing reaction stop on 34 denied Agger a certain goal. Dumbuya's miscontrol on 37 allowed Liverpool to break through, but Liddle's intervention denied them, an action whereby he was lucky not to have given away a penalty. The final meaningful chance saw Gerrard smash the ball against the post on 40.

The second half saw Notts make an effort to retain possession, which worked well to unsettle Liverpool. For a while, the Reds lost their groove and couldn't manage more than a few half-chances. On the hour, Notts stepped it up a gear. McGregor was responsible for winning the first of two corners, before attempting a powerful long shot which was saved. Just two minutes later, a foul on Labadie led to a free kick just outside the box. Then it happened. Smith's superb latch-on from the Fotheringham free kick was met by the head of Arquin, and so the ball went into the Liverpool net. 2-1, Liverpool rattled, Notts ecstatic at having breached the Premiership side's clean sheet and seeing where they could go on from there.

From then on it was a very even game, Toure once again striking the post on 69, while Sturridge chanced a header from yet another great Gerrard ball.

This would carry on until the 82nd minute. When something even greater happened. Dispossessing Liverpool in their own half, Notts played a wonderful passing game, getting the ball from McGregor over to Arquin on the right hand side, before the striker advanced deep into the Liverpool box and playing a loose chip-cum-cross into the path of Adam Coombes, who smashed it through the Reds rearguard... and so it was 2-2. Cue raucous celebrations from the home fans and disbelief from the wider world of football fandom and punditdom.

And so the game would end all square... except League Cup games are decided on the night. And so the team with history and prestige couldn't beat Liverpool in 90 minutes... extra time it was to be.

An even first half of extra time, where the only action of note was the injury to Toure, was sadly ended with a tame shot from Sturridge which trickled through Bart's fingers from a tight angle, while the second half saw Jordan Henderson finally apply the finishing touch to Liverpool's hard-fought victory with a burst through the Notts defence followed by a placed shot.

4-2 was the final score, but for the sheer fact that Liverpool had to go to extra time, the result not assured until the 110th minute, shows just how deep Notts County dug and how far they pushed Liverpool, particularly when you consider the home side were cruising at 2-0 after thirty minutes. An amazing atmosphere, an amazing match, and an amazing night for all fans concerned.

Four league games into the season, Notts County still have just one point to their name, after a toothless, substandard performance against Stevenage FC at Meadow Lane. In a match where both teams struggled to gain a foothold into the game, the Hertfordshire side pounced on a defensive error to score in the final minute, courtesy of James Dunne. As has been mentioned here before, a curious refereeing performance hindered Notts on occasions, but they should have come away with at least a point against lacklustre opposition. The Magpies recalled Gary Liddle to defence, after his three-match ban for his sending off in the season opener against Sheffield United.

The side was slightly weakened, however, as Alan Sheehan, Dean Leacock and Danny Haynes were all missing. Greg Tempest, Manny Smith and Adam Coombes were in the starting XI in their place.

The first meaningful action of the game involved the Stevenage goalkeeper, Chris Day, handling the ball outside his box after a long punt by Notts keeper Bartosz Bialkowski which was within the reaches of Coombes. Normally warranting a red card, Day wasn't punished.

Not long after, David Bell's free kick caused havoc in the Stevenage box, pinballing into the path of Liddle, but his volley wasn't a problem for Day.

On twenty minutes, Tempest's good cross fell to Yoann Arquin, but he failed to control and Day once again saved.

The covering left-back provided another good cross on 25, but Roarie Deacon did well to flick it away.

On 33 minutes, Stevenage finally threatened, Robin Shroot firing a 30-yard shot which was easily saved. Four minutes later, Bart was finally called into action, Darius Charles' curled shot being acrobatically palmed away. Up until then, Notts had been huffing and puffing, without quite blowing the defences away.

Just before the interval, Callum McGregor and Shroot, for Notts and Stevenage respectively, fired over the opposition crossbars.

After the fifteen-minute break, in which yours truly checked the football results to see whether his accumulators were holding up, a cigarette in the designated smoking area and the purchase and consumption of one of the very tasty Cornish pasties from the catering section, the game restarted with Notts nearly taking the lead, a Liddle header nearly falling to Coombes, before Jon Ashton headed over his own crossbar and to safety.

After a couple more half-chances, Charles split the Notts defence wide open, allowing Shroot a one-on-one opportunity against Bart. However, he and Liddle did enough to thwart the danger.

On 72, Jeremy Balmy made his debut, in place of Adam Coombes.

The referee, regularly calling fouls on seemingly innocuous Notts challenges while letting Stevenage tugs and tackles slide, kept incurring the ire of the home fans in the Kop, the chants reaching a nadir when Mark Fotheringham was booked for dissent.

Notts continued to push for a goal, but the vast majority of play was conducted through the wings as opposed to midfield, and virtually every cross was deflected away from goal by the Stevenage defence. Balmy, in particular, may have not been ready yet for the first team, for he made several mistakes in the final third.

Stevenage are known for being a bogey team for Notts in recent years, and sadly for the sanity and blood pressure of the home faithful, this trend continued when Shroot's ball took a deflection and fell to Dunne, who converted from close range in the final minute.

One of the most frustrating performances I have seen from Notts, there are things which need to be addressed urgently, because I do not wish to be supporting a League Two team next season. More cohesion is needed, less focus on single players - Bell was the key man today, and even though he was good, we cannot rely on one player all the time - and more care and thought needs to go in the substitutions, because today they were not very well executed.

A determined Notts finally got their first point of the season as they battled to a 1-1 draw away at the Banks's Stadium against Walsall. Romaine Sawyers opened the scoring at the start of the second half, before substitute Yoann Arquin levelled with just over fifteen minutes to go. However, controversy reigned as Arquin had a perfectly good goal not given, and another given offside, both late in the second half. Chris Kiwomya reinstated Manny Smith to the heart of defence, the ex-Saddler back from his suspension, so Alan Sheehan and Mustapha Dumbuya were back to their rightful full-back positions. Tempest was on the bench after his game at left-back last week.

Notts started brightly, Danny Haynes firing a shot within the first minute which flew across the face of goal. At the other end, Ashley Hemmings attempted a chip, but it was well-blocked.

A lot happening within the first few minutes, a mistake by Mal Benning allowed Enoch Showunmi to thread through to Jamal Campbell-Ryce, whose shot was rather innocuous, before, again at the other end, ex-Notts player Craig Westcarr failed to control the ball properly after rounding Bartosz Bialkowski.

The lively start continued with Sawyers fouling Joss Labadie on the fifth minute, giving Notts a free-kick 25 yards out. Labadie fired a powerful shot which was skilfully saved by Richard O'Donnell.

The Notts midfielder would get booked just three minutes later, his reprisal on Sawyers sending him into the book.

More half chances continued to come the way of both teams, before Callum McGregor came very close to opening the scoring, but the Walsall keeper managed to get just enough on the ball to prevent this.

The fouls and subsequent free kicks kept coming, with Westcarr coming under particular scrutiny from the Notts defenders, but the middle period of the second half didn't see anything more concrete materialise.

Dean Leacock also went into the book after half an hour for getting one too many fouls in after Westcarr was targeted again.

Towards the latter end of the first half, Danny Haynes received a knock and was subbed off, to be replaced by ex-Chelsea forward Adam Coombes.

The half ended with a cracking chance to put Notts 1-0 up, again by Scottish starlet McGregor, with an effort which sailed just over the bar.

Sadly, as with other games this season, Notts found themselves at the end of a sucker-punch, because within the first few minutes of the second half, Walsall found themselves 1-0 up, Sawyers' powerful right-foot attempt from 25 yards beating Bart on 49 minutes.

A shell-shocked Notts struggled to pick themselves up from this setback, as Westcarr and Hemmings added to the Walsall chances within a few minutes.

Just before the hour, Mark Fotheringham had a good attempt to equalise, but his shot went wide. Westcarr countered with a good run and shot for Walsall which shook the net - from the back luckily.

David Bell's introduction, in place of JCR, seemed to invigorate the team, as Notts pushed on in a bid to get this equaliser. Bell had several cracking chances on 64 and 68 minutes, which gave the travelling Notts fans a bit of a kick-start after the setback.

Better was to come for the Magpies, as substitute Arquin, who scored the equaliser against the Saddlers six months ago, repeated this feat by levelling the score with a close-range header. Credit goes to Sheehan for providing a great cross from the left wing.

As the invigorated Notts fans called for a winner, a controversial goalmouth incident took place on the Walsall goalmouth, as Arquin beat O'Donnell to a header and it looked to have gone in, but the linesman didn't give it.

In injury time, Arquin again had the ball in the net, but this was given as offside, and as a result, the game finished 1-1. A hard-earned away point as Notts finally take themselves off nul points, but what will it be made of the disallowed goals at the end of the second half?

Notts County were on the receiving end of a 4-2 beating today as Peterborough United's experienced strikeforce cut through the Magpies' makeshift defence on various occasions. The Notts defence, missing Gary Liddle and Manny Smith, saw Alan Sheehan playing centre back and young Greg Tempest at left back. Chris Kiwomya opted for the 4-4-2 formation which worked well in the 3-2 win against Fleetwood in midweek, Danny Haynes and Enoch Showunmi lining up front together.

Notts began brightly, winning a corner within the first two minutes, but at the other end, a dangerous Peterborough tested Bartosz Bialkowski just two minutes later, the Pole reacting superbly to deflect the shot with his legs.

A high-octane start to the match continued with a shot by Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who fired a threatening shot from outside the Posh box, before the Posh came raging back at the other end, Britt Assombalonga claiming a penalty as he fell in the box, but this wasn't given.

Notts then threatened again, Callum McGregor and Tempest combining to set up JCR for a long-range shot which was deflected to safety.

On eleven minutes, Haynes was brought down by Posh captain Tommy Rowe outside the box, but Sheehan's free kick was off the mark.

Further shots were traded between the two teams, before Notts finally broke the deadlock, Magpies skipper Dean Leacock powering a header into the Posh net. 1-0 to Notts, credit going to Mustapha Dumbuya for the pinpoint cross which was brilliantly converted by Deano.

Unfortunately, this lead wasn't to last more than a few minutes, as Peterborough, awoken from their semi-slumber, stepped it up a gear, Tommy Rowe converting the corner after Grant McCann's attempt was saved by Bart.

The next ten minutes would be all Posh, as an Assombalonga goal was blown offside, while Tyrone Barnett also threatened with a back-post header.

The pendulum would swing County's way for the final five or so minutes, as McGregor came close twice. However, half-time would be deadlocked at 1-1.

The second half saw Notts step up the pressure once again as they did in the latter stages of the second half, Haynes, Enoch Showunmi and JCR coming close, but then came the sucker punch: Peterborough managed to break, and from the counter-attack, completely split the Notts defence, and a virtually unmarked Barnett tucked it away past Sheehan and underneath Bart. 2-1.

Things were to get worse as a Lee Tomlin was fouled in the box by Mark Fotheringham, and a penalty was gifted to Posh. McCann stepped up, and to add insult to injury, fired a beautifully chipped shot which Antonin Panenka and Andrea Pirlo would have been proud of. 3-1 Posh, Notts with a mountain to climb.

Outrageously, a cast-iron penalty appeal, which was clearly handed in the area, was turned down, which incensed both the Notts crowd, who rang with some of the loudest boos heard in a long time at Meadow Lane, and the players, who made their disbelief vehemently clear to the referee.

And to compound Notts' misery, a mis-hit header by Tempest, who had been impressive and solid all game, gifted possession to Assombalonga, who had an easy run on goal before firing past Bart. 4-1, a crushing scoreline reflective of the Magpies' makeshift defence and the powerful Posh strikeforce.

Notts did eventually pull a goal back, as Gabriel Zakuani handled in the area, this instance being seen and awarded by the referee, and Yoann Arquin converted to make the scoreline a bit more respectable.

4-2 was how the game would end. The Notts performance wasn't at all deserving of such a battering scoreline, but defensive mistakes cost us dear. It is hoped that this kind of scoreline is merely an exception, and once Manny Smith and Gary Liddle return, with Sheehan restored to left-back, this won't happen again.

Notts County made it to the second round of the League Cup for the first time in three years with a nervy 3-2 win against Fleetwood Town. The Lancashire side took the lead and were on top in the first 25 minutes, but the Magpies equalised with a superb Enoch Showunmi header. They added two more superb goals in the second half, but David Ball's last-minute goal made for a tense finish. Another sour point was the sending off of Manny Smith, who will now miss the Peterborough game. Chris Kiwomya began the game with a 4-4-2 formation, Smith replacing the suspended Gary Liddle, and Greg Tempest and debutant Callum McGregor also in the starting eleven.

Notts enjoyed a bright start, winning a corner within the first two minutes, and just four minutes later, nearly scored, but for an awkward bounce taking the ball too far away from Enoch Showunmi.

At the other end, Tempest bravely blocked a goalbound shot, before bombing down at the other end and forcing another corner, courtesy of a deflected cross. Two corners in the first seven minutes were promising signs, and attempts from Danny Haynes and Showunmi in the following few minutes further emphasised Notts' intent to win this game.

One of the main talking points about this game was the return of ex-Notts midfielder Hughes to Meadow Lane, and he made his presence felt with a good one-two before heading towards the box, but Smith charged him down.

Sadly, Notts' early pressure couldn't stop Fleetwood from drawing first blood. On sixteen minutes, Gareth Evans coolly and skilfully chipped the ball over Bartosz Bialkowski after beating Smith.

Notts, for the second time in two games deflated after quarter of an hour, pushed on for an equaliser, Joss Labadie's ambitious free-kick sailing over the bar, but the visitors piled on the pressure for a good ten minutes as they had their eyes on consolidating their lead.

Much like a pendulum, however, the momentum then suddenly swung Notts County's way. On 25 minutes, Haynes headed wide after Showunmi's flick from Mustapha Dumbuya's throw. Just two minutes later, the provider then attempted a header of his own. Again, wide. However, the third headed chance in quick succession finally yielded that crucial equaliser for Notts, as new kid McGregor's brilliant ball was stunningly converted by Showunmi.

The provider and scorer combined again to great effect as, on 33 minutes, the Celtic loanee's pass to Showunmi was crossed into the Fleetwood half and very nearly led to an own goal, courtesy of Mark Roberts.

Just a minute later, the same man very nearly succeeded in lobbing the Fleetwood keeper, much to the surprise of Notts fans who hadn't been used to this much confidence and pomp from the Nigerian international in the previous season. He even showed off some showboating skills!

Soon after, Haynes managed to steal some of Showunmi's thunder by powering in a second goal, a classic poacher's goal and his first for the Magpies, after Mark Fotheringham's cross and Labadie's post-rebounding effort.

Fleetwood threatened first in the second half, Antoni Sarcevic's shot going wide of the left-hand post, but Notts countered with the excellent Tempest nearly combining with Labadie for a potential chance.

The pendulum would swing towards Fleetwood again, a half chance coming on 52 minutes, before Bart's great save from a Matty Blair shot just a few minutes later, going down low to thwart the opposition player.

On 56 minutes, an unfair challenge by Smith on Sarcevic led to his booking, the second Magpies yellow of the game (first came to Labadie for a tackle on the old boy in the first half) but his free kick was blocked and cleared.

Notts eventually got a third to ease pressure on the Magpies players and fans, the superb debutant McGregor curling a fantastic left-footed effort into the net. One assist and one goal for the Celtic loanee, you can't ask for much more on your debut!

The final ten minutes were nerve-wracking for Notts, however. Smith's challenge on David Ball was deemed worthy of a second yellow by the referee, and so Liddle's replacement walked. A second Notts defender to be sent off in the space of two games.

In the 88th minute, the comfortable 3-1 scoreline was suddenly made a lot more precarious by David Ball's right-footed shot from inside the box, which pierced the Notts net. 3-2 with injury time beckoning.

Fleetwood, invigorated by the goal and sensing an opportunity to equalise against a Notts side now increasingly beset by nerves, pushed on, and very nearly scored on a number of occasions, but Bart, showing how indispensable he is to the club, came out on top, saving from Ryan Crowther's dead-cert shot. Tempest and Dean Leacock also contributed with great clearances and blocks, before, to the delight of the Notts fans, the final whistle blew, and Notts County were in the second round of the League Cup for the first time in three years!

Notts County’s first game of the season ended in defeat after Gary Liddle’s sending off in the first quarter of an hour allowed a strong Sheffield United side to earn a narrow 2-1 win at Bramall Lane. Chris Kiwomya, in his first full season with the Magpies, had a virtually full-strength squad at his disposal, giving debuts to Mustapha Dumbuya, Danny Haynes and Mark Fotheringham. Within the first minute, the Blades were given a free kick, which was taken by Jamie Murphy. Bartosz Bialkowski had to get his hands on it, but it wasn’t especially threatening.

Just a few minutes later, Fabien Brandy fell in the box under a challenge, but the penalty appeal was waved away by the referee.

Murphy once again tried his luck in the seventh minute; Notts giving the ball away too regularly for the travelling fans’ liking, but his shot was fluffed wide, while a minute later, Kevin McDonald’s through-ball was just a tad too heavy for Brandy, Bart coming out to collect.

Notts eventually got their act together and managed to force the first corner of the game in the eleventh minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s cross being cleared behind, which was very nearly converted by Haynes, were it not for a good stop by Blades keeper George Long.

However, any hope of building momentum was thwarted when, shortly afterwards, Gary Liddle was spectacularly sent off for a high tackle on McDonald. More recklessness than malice, there still weren’t too many complaints as the referee produced a straight red for the Notts defender. Terrible error of judgement for the Magpies’ Mr Reliable, who played every single minute of every single league game last season.

A panicking Notts soon lost all their momentum, as the Blades began to assert themselves over the game, enjoying over two thirds of possession in the first half hour or so. Chances came from Murphy, Stephen McGinn and Brandy, with another Blades penalty appeal being turned down, before the imminent breakthrough eventually came, courtesy of McDonald’s finish, helped by Brandy and Darryl Westlake.

Notts had their moments in the first half, notably a Joss Labadie diving header from a free kick which went just wide, despite little pressure from the United defenders, and the team and fans felt hard done by after Haynes received a kick from Neil Collins, but aside from those, it was clearly all Blades. Brandy in particular was being a real thorn in the side for the Magpies.

The half ended somewhat favourably to Notts, given they could have been several goals down. As it was, just the one goal difference, but there would be plenty of work to be done to try and address this deficit.

No changes made by either side at half time, and service resumed somewhat after the return whistle, McDonald’s effort on 47 minutes forcing a good low save out of Bart. Just two minutes later, the midfielder attempted a shot from 25 yards, going just wide.

After dishing out yellow cards to Brandy and Mark Fotheringham for both teams, Chris Porter nearly doubled the Sheffield lead twice. The first time he blazed the ball over from just six yards out, and just two minutes later, his failure to react in time to a ball whizzing across the face of the Notts goal meant it was still 1-0.

The Blades would come to regret those missed chances, because Notts equalised in spectacular fashion. Just two minutes after taking the field in the place of Yoann Arquin, a stray ball fall to Enoch Showunmi, and lashed it into the bottom corner from over 20 yards out. An absolute beast of a strike, which surprised everybody.

Sadly, less than ten minutes passed before the Blades were in front again. An innocuous Notts challenge was penalised by the referee, and the awarded free kick was headed in by Harry Maguire.

An injury to Michael Doyle, the United skipper, caused a delay on 77 minutes, before a powerful free kick taken by Taylor was comfortably saved on 80.

Towards the final ten minutes, Notts nearly equalised in spectacular fashion again, as Fotheringham lashed a dangerous volley from over 30 yards out.

Sadly, it didn’t smash into the net like Showunmi’s effort did, and that was pretty much it for the Magpies, as the Blades saw the game out while nearly scoring a third.

A good effort from Chris Kiwomya’s side, but sadly Gary Liddle’s sending off was critical and had a major impact on the Magpies’ chances.

Meanwhile, Danny Haynes, County's new striker, wasn't in the squad.

Galatasaray also fielded a strong starting eleven, though the names on everyone's lips, marquee signings Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder, were on the bench.

Francois Zoko made his presence felt on the fourth minute, his cross being headed clear, while Galatasaray's first venture into the Notts half was on the ninth minute, Gökhan Zan's header wide for the visitors.

Just a minute earlier, "Number 22" delivered a fantastic, crunching tackle to win the ball, but this was harshly considered a foul.

Albert Riera, previously of Liverpool, then stung Bart's hands with a powerful shot to his right. Emre Colak also tried his luck from range, his attempt narrowly evading the top-right corner on 18.

Gary Liddle is certain to be instrumental for Notts this season, and his class showed as Umut Bulut's low shot was cleared off the line by Mr ELH. Yejta Kurtulus' rebound effort then smashed against the crossbar.

The pressure mostly came from the Turkish side, as Engin Baytar's effort, after dispossessing Notts in a dangerous area, went wide. Riera took a free kick soon after, again to no avail.

Interestingly, the referee blew the whistle out of the blue midway through the first half, purely to allow the players to rehydrate themselves. It was indeed a very hot and muggy day, not the best conditions for running miles across a pitch.

Not long afterwards, the Galatasaray fans turned up the heat a little more, as they lit a flare in the Jimmy Sirrell stand. Very unusual scenes for a League One crowd to witness, as was the presence of Drogba and Sneijder warming up next to the Derek Pavis stand, to whoops of delight from the audience.

Notts began threatening after the half hour point, with the front three of Zoko, Showunmi and Tyrell Waite causing trouble for the Cimbom defence. Joss Labadie was felled in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on.

On 36, Zoko's pass nearly set up Showunmi for what would have been a certain goal, but this was successfully thwarted by former Arsenal player Emmanuel Eboue.

The first half finished 0-0. The big two, Drogba and Sneijder, would be introduced to the game in the second 45, and within ten minutes, would be having an impact, Drogba's chance being heroically denied by home debutant Mustapha Dumbuya's last ditch block.

The unthinkable then happened: Notts County, courtesy of Enoch Showunmi, took the lead against the Turkish Champions and Champions League-bound Galatasaray! Yes, it took a heavy deflection off defender Dany Nounkeu, but nevertheless, Notts County 1 - 0 Galatasaray!

As the scoreboard provided a fine souvenir for all camera-holding Notts fans in the Pavis, the Turkish team set about trying to find an equaliser.

In fact, it could have so nearly been 2-0, as young Romello Nangle, he of the Colchester debut goal and euphoric celebration i front of the Italian Magpies, fired a long-range howitzer which narrowly dipped over.

On the 79th minute, however, came trouble. Striker Burak Yılmaz made the most of a miscued clearance to fire the ball past Bart, but Alan Sheehan's subsequent error of judgement resulted in him kicking the Notts keeper in the head instead of the ball. Cue a lengthy pause as the unlucky Pole was stretchered off after treatment.

Evergreen Notts legend Kevin Pilkington replaced the injured Bart, Fabian Speiss being unavailable due to a knee injury, but the story wouldn't follow the Notts script of him saving several dead-cert shots before heroically stopping a Drogba penalty as Notts would go on to draw or even win against one of the giants of European football. Instead, the producers would officially approve the Galatasaray script, whereby Wesley Sneijder, he of the World Cup final appearance and treble-winning Inter squad coached by Jose Mourinho, ends up scoring a 25-yard stunner in the final minute to salvage the glory for the big team.

The game finished 2-1, but the Notts players and staff can hold their heads high, only being undone because of a defensive lapse - nothing Kiwomya and his coaches can't fix - and a moment of magic from one of the finest players in the world in the last few years. Well done you Pies!

Under a bright sun trying desperately to shine through an overcast sky, Notts County finished a disappointing season on a decent note, drawing against fallen giants Coventry 2-2 at Meadow Lane. Buoyed by a good run of form and a victory against eventual League 1 champions Doncaster last week, Chris Kiwomya began the game in a 4-4-2 formation. Notable points included Kristian Pearce and Tyrell Waite making the starting eleven again, Bartosz Bialkowski back in goal, and Neal Bishop making the bench after his injury spell.

The first shot of the game fell to Coventry's Callum Wilson, who picked up the ball over the top and fired a half volley from the edge of the box. Bart was equal to it with a good diving save.

A few minutes later, John Fleck was brought down by Jamal Campbell-Ryce and won a free kick. Carl Baker's impressive shot curled round the Notts wall and required another stunning Bart save.

Despite some neat football by the home side and a couple of forays into the Sky Blues half, the away team had the upper hand, and it took the Magpies just over half an hour before their first meaningful shot on goal, JCR's long range attempt finally testing stand-in keeper Chris Dunn.

The succession of attempts by Notts, however, led to the breakthrough, as a shot by Alan Sheehan was saved by Dunn on 34, but young Tyrell Waite was on hand to head home the rebound. Much like Romello Nangle's first goal against Colchester two weeks ago, this was a moment to be cherished for the player, the team and the fans.

Notts were revitalised after the goal, and shortly after the restart, Sheehan nearly helped make it 2-0, his cross falling to stand-in skipper Dean Leacock. Dunn, however, forced a great save.

More close shaves followed as Yoann Arquin's header was nearly deflected into the Coventry net by their own backline, before Pearce's header from the corner was just over.

The second half saw Coventry come at the home team, with David Bell rattling the County crossbar from twenty yards out, before netting the equaliser on 52 minutes courtesy of Fleck's top corner finish.

The disappointment lasted about three minutes for the home fans, as the impressive Pearce seized on a loose ball after Alan Judge's header met the post. A simple finish which fell right into his path, it put Notts back in front.

Coventry, back on square one, set about trying to find a second goal, and on 71 and 73 minutes, David Bell's 25 yard missile required another top draw Bart save, before Fleck's left footed shot from deep inside the area went just wide of the left hand post.

Coventry piled on the pressure and eventually County caved in on 86 minutes, substitute Franck Moussa's half volley flying into the bottom right hand corner of the home goal.

The closing stages of the game saw more attempts being traded by both sides, Jeff Hughes for Notts and Bell and Cody McDonald for the Sky Blues.

2-2 would be the final score, however, and as the final whistle blew, the curtain fell on Notts County's 150th season, one which promised so much but ended up delivering so little. In the grand scheme of things, however, the club is in relatively healthy shape financially, and a top half finish isn't perhaps too bad a result.

In addition, the future is looking bright, with some of the young Academy players like Greg Tempest, Tyrell Waite, Haydn Hollis, Fabian Speiss and Romello Nangle showing they can cut it at first team level, which heralds for a promising season in 2013-14.

Thank you to all who have been following, reading and enjoying my match reports this season, and don't forget, even in the off season, Pride of Nottingham will be reporting on transfer rumours, happenings behind the scenes, and of course casting an eye on the Lane legends of yesteryear! Thank you for all your support, and Come On You Pies!

On a warm April's day, Notts County fans were treated with an impressive display by the Magpies players, who defeated top of the table Doncaster 1-0 away at the Keepmoat Stadium in an exciting, edge of your seat clash. Buoyed by an impressive home win against Colchester the previous week, Chris Kiwomya once again selected a mix of established first teamers and youth players. Surprisingly, Krystian Pearce was picked in the starting eleven, the 23yr old not having started since March 2012.

While Tyrell Waite's MOTM performance against the U's ensured his inclusion in the team. Fabian Speiss lined up between the sticks in place of the ill Bartosz Bialkowski.

The first five minutes saw both teams try and suss each other out, with little happening. Before long, however, Notts got the game's first shot on target courtesy of Alan Judge.

Two minutes later, Dean Leacock's side foot attempt from an Alan Sheehan corner went just wide.

On fourteen minutes, Alan Judge was upended by Rob Jones, and for the free kick, he laid the ball to midfielder Joss Labadie. His effort from thirty yards was spectacular, flying into the top corner and leaving veteran keeper Neil Sullivan with no chance.

1-0 to the visiting Magpies, and if Alan Partridge was commentating on the game, I'm sure the old "foot like a traction engine" cliche would have been apt for this occasion.

Doncaster were very haphazard and sloppy in the first half, and didn't give Speiss too much hard work to do. Passes were mishit and their players' ball control wasn't worthy of a team at the summit of the league with two games to go.

Nevertheless, they got some shots in, courtesy of Billy Paynter and Rob Jones, and did actually manage to get the ball in the net, as Dean Furman fired home from close range on 24 minutes, but much to the chagrin of the Rovers fans, literally leaping out of their seats, and the stadium scoreboard operator, who changed the result on the screen the second the ball made contact with the net, the goal wasn't given.

Near the end of the half, a flurry of activity in the Notts box was successfully thwarted, as Leacock blocked a dangerous James Coppinger shot, while Speiss was on top form to deny John Lundstram and Chris Brown. Meanwhile, Jamie McCombe's header was over.

The half time whistle blew on an exciting half, and after the obligatory leg-stretching foray out of the stands, the game restarted with Pearce being upended by Brown in the Notts area.

With all to play for, Doncaster were a rejuvenated team in the second half, and made their attacking intent well known with a dangerous head shot by Paynter and a free kick by David Cotterill.

The Notts defence had to be at the top of their game to repel the Rovers advances, with Speiss punching the ball clear on several occasions and the defenders contributing important blocks - Gary Liddle and Sheehan put their bodies on the line to deny Coppinger and David Syers.

Pearce, the defender who hasn't played for Notts since the start of Keith Curle's tenure, then made a glorious goal-line clearance to stop Paynter's shot. Cue much frustration and anger by the Rovers players and fans, who had heard that Bournemouth were leading Carlisle and, should the results stand, would have pushed them into second.

At the other end, the home team could have been 2-0 down, Labadie's long range attempt this time flying wide of the top-left hand corner on 81 minutes.

The final ten minutes had were do or die for Doncaster, who needed to win to ensure promotion.

Coppinger, Iain Hume, and Jones all tried desperately to soil the Notts clean sheet, but a final titanic defensive effort by the Magpies ensured the final whistle blew on a nerve-jangling game for both sets of fans.

The defeat not only denied Rovers fans the chance to celebrate automatic promotion to the Championship, but set up a tense, dramatic encounter next Saturday away to Brentford, two points behind them.

Even a draw against Notts would have left them in a tricky, albeit healthier, position going into next week's game against third-placed Brentford, as a comprehensive defeat would have seen them swap places courtesy of the goal difference criteria, but now it's as simple as "lose, and you're in the play-offs".

If things go their way, Doncaster could yet finish as champions, but if they lose, then it'll be a case of falling at the very final hurdle, as there will yet be three very difficult and testing games for the Rovers, while Brentford will officially be confirmed as a Championship team at the Yorkshire team's expense.

As for Notts, their season has long been over, but it's great to see the team prove that it can beat anyone on their day, and it capped off what was a lovely sunny day for all the travelling fans. One more game to go, at home to Coventry, and if things go Notts' way, we can finish in the top ten, which would be a nice boost.

After three losses on the bounce and an aura of negativity increasingly festering over Meadow Lane, fans were given plenty of reasons to be optimistic for next season with a convincing display against Colchester United on Saturday. Prior to the game, guests of honour Giorgio Zunino and the Italian Magpies were introduced to the thousands of fans in the stands, who responded with applause and cheers.

Aside from their commitment and passion, the boys and girls from Italy brought some good luck with them too, As the Magpies won 3-1. Courtesy of goals from Jeff Hughes, Yoann Arquin and youth team star Romello Nangle.

A mix of suspensions and injuries and the lack of either promotion or survival to play for meant that, with a view to next season, some of the young guns were given a chance. Manager Chris Kiwomya began the game in a 4-4-2 formation, giving Curtis Thompson and Tyrell Waite their first starts for Notts and reinstating Haydn Hollis to the starting eleven.

Colchester had the brighter start, winning a corner after three minutes, while Notts had a corner of their own on eleven, which came to nothing.

A minute later, Hughes had the first chance of the game, Jamal Campbell-Ryce's good hold-up play setting the Northern Irishman up, but the effort was well wide.

Moments later, Colchester had a good chance of their own, Drey White drawing a good save from Bartosz Bialkowski. The resulting corner should have been a goal, but luckily, unmarked Jabo Ibehre's close range header was just wide.

Shortly after, JCR was again involved, his powerful shot from 30 yards flying narrowly wide. Prompted by the scoreboard, gasps of "oooohhhh" filled the air.

On eighteen minutes, young Waite delivered a low cross that Hughes just about connected with, on the slide. Colchester keeper Sam Walker couldn't do enough to keep it out and it was 1-0 Notts.

Just before the half hour mark, Alan Sheehan's free kick was nearly converted by Waite, but Walker was first to it.

On 37 minutes, the U's equalised, Andrew Bond's low cross evading Bart and faling to Ibehre, who clumsily helped it over the line.

Joss Labadie, perfoming with renewed vigour following his loan spell to Torquay, played a pass to Thompson, who, beating his marker, tested Walker with a sweet left-foot strike.

Just before half time, a collision between Labadie and Colchester's David Wright held up play for around ten minutes, as paramedics and physios attended to him. The full-back was taken to hospital with suspected concussion.

The half, having had the sting taken out of it by the delay, ended with both teams level, and after the restart, Wright's replacement, John-Joe O'Toole, connected with Brian Wilson's free kick but sent it wide.

Just before the hour, another dangerous Sheehan free kick was met by Leacock's header, but the lack of strength in it meant the chance was saved.

Bialkowski, so often the hero for Notts County, showed just why he is so highly rated with two top class saves, from Bond's volley and later from Garmston's free kick.

At the Colchester end, JCR once again troubled the U's keeper, as his long range howitzer, aiming for the bottom left corner, was palmed away by Walker.

Waite, having played a good game for which he was voted Man Of The Match, was substituted for Arquin, and within four minutes, he was on the scoresheet, having headed in a Sheehan corner.

Significantly, his goal marked the first time a striker has scored for Notts since the Bury game back in February.

Better was to come, though, as Nangle came on for another youngster, Thompson, and as the game ticked over the regulation ninety minutes, Enoch Showunmi delivered a pass which fell nicely to the unmarked forward.

Goodness knows what feelings of overwhelming pressure would have been going through his head in that split second, but as his shot went through the legs of Walker for the decisive final goal, his joyous, passionate, cathartic celebration in front of the Kop said it all, a moment sure to live forever not just in his memory, but the memory of all Notts fans who saw it up close.

Despite a dream start on the south coast, courtesy of Jeff Hughes' early goal, Notts County were undone by three goals as Bournemouth kept their pressure on table-topping Doncaster with a home win. Chris Kiwomya began the game in a 4-5-1 formation, the returning Joss Labadie replacing the suspended Alan Judge in midfield and shifting Hughes to the left, while Enoch Showunmi was the lone frontman. Bartosz Bialkowski was back in goal, having recovered from the illness which kept him out of the Easter Monday defeat against Yeovil.

Notts took the lead within two minutes, as good work from Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Julian Kelly allowed Labadie to get a cross to Hughes, and the Northern Irishman converted with a strong header which beat the keeper Ryan Allsop's save.

The Cherries, shocked by this development, set about trying to claw back the deficit, and just a couple of minutes later, Simon Francis fired a low shot which Bart saved easily, while Brett Pitman's shot on eight minutes went wide.

Pitman and Matt Ritchie would each get another attempt on goal before, on 16 minutes, the latter got on the scoresheet with a goal from the edge of the area, beating several defenders and Bart as it went into the bottom left corner. 1-1, and the Cherries were in the mood for more.

The versatile Marc Pugh was a threat, pinging in several crosses into the Notts area, while Steve Cook and Matt Tubbs got efforts in, and their pressure was rewarded on 26 minutes as the dangerous Pitman found the net with a powerful goal from just outside the box.

The Notts players protested, feeling that Tubbs had handled in the build-up to the goal, but his effort stood, and the Magpies, 1-0 up within two minutes, were now 2-1 down courtesy of the 16-goal hitman.

It was so nearly 17 for the prolific striker, but his 20-yard effort on 37 minutes was wide.

Worse was to come for Notts as Andre Boucaud, booked on 28 for unsporting behaviour, received a second yellow on the stroke of half-time for a challenge, a very harsh decision as it wasn't a caution-meriting tackle. The travelling Notts fans made their feelings well known as the first-half whistle blew.

Cherries defender Simon Francis was booked after committing two rash tackles in two minutes, the first on Hughes - prompting the fans to sarcastically celebrate a decision finally going their way - then on JCR.

Labadie's ensuing free kick was dangerous and seemed to be heading for the top-right corner, but was well saved by Allsop and out for a corner kick.

Bournemouth's Harry Arter produced a fine effort which forced Bart into a full-stretch save to his left, while at the other end, the referee once again incurred the wrath of the travelling Magpies as Showunmi was felled in the Bournemouth box, but no penalty was given. Neal Bishop's in-play attempt was well over.

On 73 minutes, JCR delivered a great ball into the area, but Showunmi wasn't able to get his head to it. It was to be his final effort, as he was replaced by young Tyrell Waite just after.

As the game went into its final ten minutes, Sheehan's floated free-kick wasn't properly cleared by the home defenders, but Hughes couldn't make anything of it, miscontrolling the ball as it fell to him.

The game was finally put to bed on the 85th minute as Matt Ritchie, voted League One Player of the Year the week before, put Notts out of their misery with a clinical finish from the edge of the penalty box into the bottom right-hand corner. 3-1, game over.

Interestingly, the last time Notts were beaten by a two-goal margin in the league before today was against Stevenage on the 5th February, and before that on the 27th October. It's not something that's happened often this season.

Sadly, a combination of a demotivated team with nothing to play for, the same old problems up front, a determined and dangerous Bournemouth containing some of the strongest players in the league with all to play for, and bad refereeing, Notts staff and fans faced a long trip back North with a bitter taste in their mouth. Is the season over yet?

Another matchday, another poor performance, another 90 minutes in which no Notts forward has found the net, another defeat. Notts County lost 2-1 at home to a Yeovil side gunning for the play-offs, courtesy of a first half rebound goal from the highly rated Paddy Madden and a free-kick by Matthew Dolan. Chris Kiwomya, looking to build on the strong finish his side had against Brentford at Griffin Park three days earlier, chose to play 4-4-2, dropping Jeff Hughes and picking Enoch Showunmi alongside Yoann Arquin.

Within 10 seconds, Angelo Balanta attempted a long range drive, but Fabian Speiss, in for the ill Bartosz Bialkowski, caught easily.

Notts' first shot came from Showunmi, whose volley was well over.

A lively first ten minutes saw several chances traded by both sides, Yoann Arquin threatening with a header on ten minutes.

After this lively period, a bit of a stalemate ensued with both sides struggling to control the ball or even string more than two passes together, which made for tedious viewing, it has to be said.

On 42 minutes, the Notts crowd enjoyed their team's first serious attempt on goal, as Showunmi's header looked to be in, but Glovers keeper Marek Stech pulled off a sensational save to parry the ball to his right and away from danger.

In first half injury time, just as the fans began leaving the stands in a vain attempt to miss the queue for the bar (there's always at least a dozen people in that queue well before the half-time whistle goes!), Dolan's shot at goal was saved superbly by young Speiss, but unfortunately the talented Madden was at hand to fire the rebound into the net.

The second half saw Notts try and apply pressure on Yeovil in a bid to come back on level terms, and were rewarded on 49 when Alan Judge was fouled in the area by Dan Burn and was given a penalty. The pint-sized Irishman stepped up and converted from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

Now, disappointment in football comes in many forms. Conceding again shortly after equalising is on that list, and Notts fans, veterans of practically every type of footballing disappointment on the big long list, got to experience that when Yeovil were gifted a free-kick just outside the Notts box, and, with Speiss distracted by two Glovers players haranguing him on the goal-line, the Somerset team scored from their free-kick. 2-1 down just three minutes after equalising.

The rest of the game would see some of the flaws in Notts' gameplan made evidently clear. Just before the hour, an assault on the Yeovil goal saw the ball trickle to substitute Jeff Hughes, who, from two yards out, saw his shot sensationally miss the goal.

On 65, the ineffective Arquin was replaced by young Academy player Tyrell Waite, who made a difference straight away with his dynamic, confident runs.

Judge, who tormented the Yeovil defence all afternoon long, was unjustly deemed to have dived in the opposition box and given a yellow card on 72 minutes.

The rest of the game would see Notts struggle to break down the Yeovil defence and get any more meaningful shots on target to trouble the keeper, none more so that late on when Showunmi was clear in front of the Yeovil goal and who delivered a header which was saved so easily by Stech, it looked more like he was on the same side as him and was passing the ball back to the keeper.

As the whistle finally went, the only cheers in the stadium belonged to the travelling Yeovil fans, who scraped back into the play-offs, while for the Notts faithful, a season which promised so much in the early stages has delivered so little, and frankly, it cannot be over soon enough.