Shaun Derry's Cambridge United get the better of Notts

One step forward, two steps back. 

Much like Notts County’s win over Portsmouth was followed up by the humiliating defeat at Man Utd Juniors and a loss against Northampton Town, so has the strong 4-2 win over Barnet been superseded by a 3-1 defeat at Cambridge United, managed by former Notts manager Shaun Derry. The Magpies are certainly having to eat enough humble pie this season to make Bruce Bogtrotter’s consumption of an entire chocolate cake in Matilda seem like antipasti.

The first half was good enough for Notts, as Graham Burke went close early on after being found in the clear by a terrific ball in from the left by Adam Campbell, but the ex-Aston Villa man blasted against the bar and only the flag going up for offside spared his blushes.

Luke Berry then fired wide with a half-chance from the left-hand side soon after for the U’s, while Izale McLeod spurned a decent opportunity for the Magpies midway through the first half when he blazed well over the bar after being first to a poor clearance from Sam Beasant.

Adam Campbell went on to give the visitors the lead on 24 minutes by poking home from close range following a goalmouth scramble after Beasant had produced a fine point-blank save to deny McLeod.

Notts had Roy Carroll to thank for ensuring they remained ahead at the break though, after he palmed away Luke Berry's header from a Jordan Jones corner.

Just five minutes after the restart, however, the hosts has a chance to draw level from the spot after Ben Williamson had been brought down in the box by Alan Smith, and Barry Corr made no mistake with a ferocious penalty into the roof of the net.

Taylor fired a shot into the side netting soon after while Berry saw a 20-yard effort go just over as United asserted their dominance, and in the 77th minute they were ahead in bizarre fashion when Carroll’s clearance hit Williamson and looped over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Berry then settled matters three minutes from time with a cool finish from 15 yards after good work by Williamson to leave Notts fans facing another unpleasant journey back home.