Stuart Maynard: Notts County head coach ‘confident’ he will keep job after missing out on promotion

More than a few times during the season, Maynard lamented that his side did not get the results that performances warranted.

No game left the former telecommunications engineer more exasperated than their 1-0 play-off first-leg defeat by AFC Wimbledon.

Conor Grant had a late goalbound effort cleared by Josh Neufville, having been repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Owen Goodman before that, while Jodi Jones hit the post in a game that also included two unsuccessful penalty appeals by the Magpies, who ended up finishing with 10 men after leading scorer Jatta was sent off in stoppage time.

They could have, should have, but crucially didn’t get the result at Meadow Lane that night.

Instead, the London club did and went on to complete a 2-0 aggregate win with a untroubled victory that could have been more convincing at Plough Lane.

Stallard said their latest defeat has “highlighted” Notts’ shortcomings.

“Wimbledon, all over the pitch, were better than Notts,” he said.

“They had answers to whatever potential problem Notts looked to create and they fully deserve their place in the play-off final.

“For Notts, it’s time to learn and to make decisions and get a united front for next season where they have to have a real go.

“They have seen the level over two seasons in League Two, they have seen what it takes and have to kick on.”