Notts County boss Stuart Maynard heaped praise on his side for an “incredible performance” after seeing them beat fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons 2-0 away from home.
Two second-half goals won the game for the visitors. George Abbott put County in front with a deflected strike just before the hour, and after MK Dons missed a few chances, Dan Crowley fired in a second with 20 minutes remaining to seal the points.
Victory means County won an away league game for the first time since early October, with the result also being their first ever win at Stadium MK.
The Magpies maintain their place in the play-off positions with the win. By contrast, MK Dons suffered a third straight League Two defeat and are now four points behind their opponents in 11th spot.
Maynard said: “I think it’s an incredible performance from the group. To perform how we did against Bradford and then in a short space of time, to come and perform to the level we have done again today, it’s another performance and another clean sheet. Eight for the season is right on track to hit the target we set ourselves. So I’m really pleased.
“We kind of knew what we had to do today in the way we wanted to press them and control the game with possession. I thought it was excellent from minute one. You could see the intent and energy levels from the group were incredible. So it’s really, really pleasing.
“I think the two performances we’ve just had back-to-back, especially with a 3-0 and then a 2-0 and the way we’ve created lots of chances in the game…it could’ve been more today in the second half.
“To a man today, I thought everyone was absolutely outstanding.”
MK Dons head coach Scott Lindsey accepted his side deserved to be beaten.
He said: “If I’m going to be really honest, which I will be, we came up against a better side today.
“I thought they were excellent. That’s where we need to get to – that level. We’ve got to give the opposition some credit.
“I felt that we worked really hard to block up. The defensive shape was really good at times and we made it hard for them, but in two moments, we give them far too much respect and room.
“When it was 1-0, I felt we were in a good place. We tested their keeper on a number of occasions in that moment. I felt as if we were the team that were going to score next. It wasn’t to be but I can’t fault my players’ effort, we’re just not up to that level yet but we will be.
“We’ll get there but we have to react really positively because we have another game in a couple of days time. It is what it is.”
