Defeat on the final day of the EFL League Two season for Stuart Maynard’s Notts County, at home to title-winners Doncaster Rovers, meant that the Magpies finished in sixth place in the final league standings.

Five defeats and two draws from their final ten matches of the 2024/25 campaign would see them finish six points off Bradford City, in the final automatic promotion spot, and a dozen points behind the eventual champions.

With Walsall and Chesterfield making up the other play-off semi-final, Maynard’s charges will be tasked with opposing Johnnie Jackson’s AFC Wimbledon, who finished one place and one point better off than County, in fifth place.

Against visiting Doncaster, on the final day at Meadow Lane, the hosts would find themselves two behind inside the open thirty minutes, a Rob Street brace putting the visitors on their way to the title.

The opener came from point-blank after Jordan Gibson’s effort was initially blocked, whilst the second saw Jamie Sterry send Street clear and lob the ball over the home shot-stopper, Alex Bass.

Both sides created chances throughout as well, Street coming closing to completing his hat-trick but that effort hit Bass’ post, whilst County saw efforts form Charlie Whitaker, Kellan Gordon, and Jodi Jones, all in the first half, result in nought.

With the Rovers fans celebrating winning the League Two title, four points ahead of runners-up Port Vale, who were beaten 1-0 at home to Gillingham, County snatched a late, late consolation, striker Alassana Jatta scrambling home in the ninety-fifth minute.

Notts County – Alex Bass, Rod McDonald (Lewis Macari, 61), Matty Platt, Jacob Bedeau, Kellan Gordon (Will Jarvis, 61), George Abbott (Jack Hinchy, 85), Matthew Palmer, Jodi Jones, Conor Grant (Sam Austin, 73), Charlie Whitaker (Curtis Edwards, 73), Alassana Jatta

Having won twenty and drawn twelve of their forty-six league games this season, Maynard’s side will certainly be ruing their form since March came around, losing seven and drawing three of those fourteen games, including defeat away to Wimbledon.

Those two, League Two play-off semi-finals, against Wimbledon, will take place on the 10 (h, 20:00) and 17 May (a, 12:30).

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Official_NCFC Meadow Lane will host AFC Wimbledon on Saturday night.