Notts County’s League One promotion hopes took a significant blow having been defeated by AFC Wimbledon – with star man Alassana Jatta including to their woes.
The Magpies misplaced 1-0 at Meadow Lane of their semi-final first leg tie on Saturday night time with their main scorer despatched off in controversial vogue.
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Riley Harbottle scored the one aim of the match to present the Dons a slender lead heading into subsequent weekend’s crunch conflict.
However sadly for County, they are going to be pressured to play with out Jatta, who has scored 22 objectives in all competitions this season.
With the hosts determined for a late equaliser, the Gambia worldwide lunged in two-footed on Alistair Smith within the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Whereas he bought the ball, referee Thomas Kirk wasted no time in awarding the free-kick, earlier than pulling out the pink card.
Jatta was incensed with the choice, as too was boss Stuart Maynard as he might be seen furiously protesting with the fourth official.
The sending off led to each units of gamers clashing in the course of the pitch as proceedings threatened to get uncontrolled.
And that was certainly what occurred as Jatta escalated issues by pushing Dons winger Josh Neufville within the face.
As gamers seemed to usher him off the pitch, Jatta then walked again to confront Smith, the place he appeared to flick him as he was laying injured on the ground.
Unsurprisingly, Meadow Lane grew to become a cauldron of boos aimed on the officers, with the quantity growing as they made their method to the tunnel following the full-time whistle.
Even County’s X account raged on the choice, as they posted: “Jatta has the shirt ripped off his again earlier than successful the ball with a lunging problem – however is proven a straight pink card.”
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It was a view shared by Maynard in his post-match interview with BBC Radio Nottingham, as he insisted his aspect ought to have had a free-kick previous to the sort out.
He stated: “Everybody’s seen the efficiency of the officers.
“It occurred so quick, there was a shirt pull across the neck and makes him lunge.
“I would like to observe it again and we’ll decide and a name [to appeal].”
Although Maynard stays upbeat his aspect can guide their spot at Wembley as they appear to return to League One for the primary time for the reason that 2014/15 season.
The 44-year-old remarked: “I assumed we carried out to an unbelievable degree.
“We saved entering into these areas and we’ve got to take that positivity within the second leg and I imagine we are able to go although.
“However we’ve got to verify we put in that degree of efficiency if we’re to go to Wembley.
“I am assured, I do not suppose you’ve got seen a group open them up as we’ve got achieved tonight.”