Match Report

Local rivals Lincoln City heaped further misery on Notts County for whom this was a fourth defeat in their last five home league matches.

It was won by a controversial goal on another day when Notts exhibited a severe lack of finishing power to the extent that they had only three efforts on target all game.

The early exchanges were scrappy in the extreme and Notts nearly snatched the advantage through Jamie Clapham.

The defender, who is still searching for his first Notts goal, this time unleashed a powerful 20-yard free-kick which was no more than a foot over Rob Burch's bar.

The issue was settled soon afterwards with a goal which will be argued about for some time.

Aaron Brown delivered the ball into the box and when Kevin Pilkington tried to punch it away, he seemed to be impeded by Daniel Hone.

The ball ran loose to Adrian Patulea, who had the simple task of driving it into the empty net and it stood despite Notts protests.

It was an unhappy return to first team duty for Pilkington, returning to the side after a four-month absence to replace the injured Russell Hoult.

Notts set up a strong offensive at the beginning of the second half without seriously testing Burch, who had an easy time of it all through.

The greatest moment of danger for him did not arrive until added time when Mitchell Hanson dropped an immaculate centre into the area and Michael Johnson nearly got a decisive touch.

Johnson's unhappiest moment came just before this when he was cautioned for a foul.

It was his fifth booking of the season and his automatic suspension will simply add to County's worries.

They already have a long list of casualties, although this does not entirely explain the fact that they have lost seven of their last nine league outings in what has rapidly developed into a slump.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides