Valiant Notts County beaten on penalties by Middlesbrough in EFL Cup

Notts County have bowed out of the 2018-19 EFL Cup with their heads held high after taking Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough to a penalty shootout at the Riverside Stadium.

The Magpies took the lead in the 20th minute as Terry Hawkridge's quick free kick released Jon Stead into the area, and the former Sunderland man squared for young debutant Tom Crawford to sweep home.

County's lead lasted less than 10 minutes, however, as Ashley Fletcher steered in Grant Leadbitter's corner at the back post via a flick on from Daniel Ayala in the 27th minute.

Just six minutes later, Notts surged ahead again when Stead turned on the right-hand edge of the Boro box and hit a low shot that beat Boro goalkeeper Lonergan at his near post.

Boro then claimed a second equaliser a minute before half time, with Luxembourg international Enes Mahmutovic heading home from close range after Marvin Johnson stood up an inviting cross from the left.

An exciting game then yielded a third Notts goal as Noor Husin drilled a low shot against the post, with Stead on hand to sweep home the rebound.

Eventually the home side's pressure turned into yet another equaliser, as Fletcher added to his first after good work from Stephen Walker with 16 minutes to play.

Neither side could be separated come the full-time whistle, so penalties would be needed to separate the two teams.

Boro prevailed 4-3, with County's Stead and Jones seeing their penalties saved by Lonergan, while Boro converted all of theirs.

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