Notts County manager Stuart Maynard was frustrated with his side’s defensive performance after their automatic promotion hopes took a huge dent in a 3-1 defeat to Salford at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies missed the opportunity to move just one point behind the automatic promotion spots in League Two as they suffered a second successive defeat.
Salford opened the scoring before the break when Cole Stockton’s strike took a big deflection off Matthew Platt and Kelly N’Mai doubled the lead in the 53rd minute.
David McGoldrick pulled one back but as County hunted for an equaliser, Luke Garbutt sealed all three points for the visitors.
“It’s frustrating in the way we conceded the goals,” Maynard said.
“It’s very unlike us. I think we’ve only conceded three shots on target in our last four games, so to concede three goals is very frustrating.
“I thought they were the better team in the first half especially and when they scored the first goal before coming in at half-time, it’s a real kick in the teeth.
“Then they come out and score again just six minutes into the second half.”
County were booed off at half-time and Maynard has called on their supporters to keep backing his side as they continue their promotion push.
“We just need to keep going one game at a time, there’s a lot of points to play for,” he added.
“The fans are massive, we need them right behind us. They’ve been incredible all season, they’ve been our 12th man.
“We all need to stick together now and go again.”
Salford’s victory moved them to within four points of the play-off places.
The visitors were unchanged for the first time since September and manager Karl Robinson believes there are not many sides better than his when they are at full strength.
“I don’t think we are that far off it when our best players are fit,” he said.
“We’ve lost three players for the season but you can’t rely on luck.
“Today, our players showed a wonderful performance and a calmness in what we do. I don’t think it gets much better.
“I think we showed multiple facets of our game. Not just in how we defend but how we played in possession as well.”
Robinson also hailed his star man N’Mai, who he believes added to his price tag with his performance.
He added: “We’ve got probably one of the best players in the league, I said a million quid last week.
“He’s just put half a million on his price tag.
“I don’t think there are many better players than him. He’s a magician.”
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