Notts County boss Maynard expecting League Two play-off success against AFC Wimbledon

Notts County boss Stuart Maynard is backing his team to turn their League Two play-off semi-final deficit against AFC Wimbledon  around and secure their spot at Wembley on Saturday.

The Magpies lost 1-0 to AFC Wimbledon last weekend.

Notts County were denied several chances at goal through the interventions of Owen Goodman, Josh Neufville and Riley Harbottle, before the latter scored a powerful header at the other end.

The Magpies face a Wimbledon side with the best defensive record in the league, while being without top scorer Alassana Jatta, who was sent off after a two-footed challenge on Alistair Smith in the dying minutes of the first leg.

Maynard was nonetheless complimentary of his side’s performance in that match. He said: “We need to make sure we play to the same level that we did in the first leg.

“We need to make sure we put that level of performance in because that is what it is going to take if we want to get through and get to Wembley.”

Maynard is not put off by the unavailability of his top scorer Jatta.

David McGoldrick has also been ruled out for the remainder of the play-offs after limping off in stoppage time against Wimbledon.

“I am confident,” said Maynard. “Even though they have got the best defensive record in the league, you will not see another team open them up the way we opened them up in the first leg.

“We will prepare exactly the same as we prepared for the first leg.

“I believe in this group, I believe in what we have in this squad, if we have to make changes I believe in the players that will come on the pitch. I am very confident.”

PICTURE: ALAMY