Accrington Stanley lost out to promotion-chasing Notts County at the Wham Stadium on Saturday.

After back-to-back wins in League Two before last week’s loss at Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup, the Reds could not build on them as the Magpies took charge.

John Doolan made three changes to the starting XI with Sonny Aljofree, Liam Coyle and Alex Henderson replacing the injured Zach Awe, Nelson Khumbeni, who has left the club, and Ash Hunter.

It was a lively start with both sides picking up an early yellow card.

Tyler Walton headed straight at keeper Alex Bass in Stanley’s first chance on seven minutes while County scored with theirs.

Matt Palmer’s cross in the 16th minute found George Abbott who ran from outside the area and he volleyed home.

The Magpies came close again in the 23rd minute but David McGoldrick’s long-distance effort was pushed away by Billy Crellin.

County grabbed their second on 27 minutes when top scorer Alassana Jatta headed the ball at the far post with McGoldrick sending it into the net from two yards out.

McGoldrick fired another effort just wide as the visitors bossed possession and chances in the first half.

Doolan made three changes at half-time with striker Charlie Caton, signed from Chester midweek, making his Stanley debut.

The Reds were more on the attack in the early stages of the second half without troubling Bass.

The Magpies got their third on 63 minutes when, from a corner, Jatta headed against the bar and McGoldrick pounced for his second of the game.

Shaun Whalley headed into the arms of Bass just after as the Reds put a number of good balls into the County box which they couldn’t capitalise on.

Caton had a long-range strike deflected wide on 80 minutes as, while Stanley kept battling, they couldn’t find a goal.

Stanley: Crellin, Aljofree, Rawson, Love, Henderson (Caton), Martin (O’Brien), Coyle, B Woods, Whalley (Hunter), Walton (Mooney), J Woods (Batty). Subs not used: Kelly, Brown.

Referee: Simon Mather.

Attendance: 2,924 (865 away).