Notts County Edge Past MK Dons in Thrilling League Two Encounter

Introduction: A Crucial Clash at Meadow Lane

In a fixture that showcased the very best of League Two football, Notts County and MK Dons delivered an enthralling encounter that had significant implications for the promotion race. The match, played on 9 December 2025 at Meadow Lane, ended with a final score of 3-2 in favour of the hosts, attended by 8,872 spectators. This result proved crucial for both teams’ league positions, with County strengthening their automatic promotion credentials whilst dealing a blow to the visitors’ ambitions.

First-Half Fireworks: Four Goals in 26 Minutes

The match exploded into life from the opening whistle, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing opening the scoring after three minutes by finishing beyond home goalkeeper Kelle Roos after being put through by Callum Paterson. However, County’s response was swift, as Matthew Dennis collected Jacob Bedeau’s pass just inside the area and slammed a shot into the top corner five minutes later.

The goal-fest continued when Mendez-Laing dinked a penalty past Roos after Laurence Maguire had been fouled by Conor Grant amid a goalmouth scramble. Yet again, the hosts fought back, with Alassana Jatta capitalising on a poor defensive header from Maguire after 26 minutes to finish beyond MacGillivray from a tight angle, levelling the scores at 2-2 heading into half-time.

Second-Half Drama and Late Winner

While the game lacked the same goal-mouth action in the second-half, it continued to be played out on a knife-edge. The decisive moment arrived with just minutes remaining when Tom Iorpenda’s 88th-minute winner lifted Notts County up to second in League Two, with Iorpenda lashing home after Craig MacGillivray had dropped a corner.

Significance and Implications

This victory carried substantial weight for both clubs. For Notts County, the three points consolidated their position in the automatic promotion places, demonstrating their resilience and ability to compete with fellow promotion contenders. Meanwhile, it marked MK Dons’ first defeat since the middle of October, and only their second league defeat since mid-September, ending an impressive unbeaten run. The match exemplified the competitive nature of League Two this season, where any team in the upper echelons can defeat another on their day, making the race for promotion increasingly unpredictable and exciting for supporters across the division.