Notts County 2 Sheffield United 1: Clough is left bemused as Blades fall to defeat

Manager Nigel Clough was left to rue the fact that his side did not build on their impressive start to the game.

He also felt there were some debatable refereeing decisions which went against them.

Clough commented: “We didn’t get the run of the ball, and also certainly didn’t get the run of the decisions. Some things were very, very puzzling. Our supporters must be wondering why some of the decisions are being made that are.”

With less than 120 seconds on the clock Liverpool loanee Connor Coady drove forward from midfield to the edge of the box and, having exchanged passes with Chris Porter, drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of Notts County’s net.

Clough commented: “We should have been 2-0 up in the first 10 minutes of the game.

“It was a brilliant goal we scored after less than two minutes, but then you go and build on it, and while they’re rocking you go and get that second goal. We didn’t manage to do that.”

Notts County benefited from a slice of good fortune when Enoch Showunmi levelled on 26 minutes. Jamal Campbell-Ryce whipped a centre towards the near post and the striker, who seemed to be losing his balance, wrong-footed George Long by turning home via his body.

The decisive goal came in the 68th minute when Alan Sheehan delivered a superb cross, which cut out a host of United defenders, towards the far post.

Mark Fotheringham’s initial header was saved by Long but, when the fell kindly and he made no mistake from point blank range.

Notts County: Bialkowski, Freeman, Smith, Leacock, Sheehan, Fotheringham, Boucaud, Campbell-Ryce, Murray (Haynes 85), Grealish, Showunmi. Unused substitutes: Thompson, Tempest, Hollis, Pilkington, Ball, Bishop.

Sheffield United: Long, McMahon, Maguire, Collins, Hill (Miller 88), Flynn (Paynter 64), Doyle, McGinn (Murphy 82), Coady, Baxter, Porter. Unused substitutes: Howard, Brandy, Kennedy, Whitehouse.

Referee: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Man of the match: Connor Coady.