Notts County relegated from League Two, losing EFL status

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The Kop at Notts County

Notts County have been relegated from League Two on the final day of the season after a 3-1 loss away at Swindon.

The Magpies, needing a win and hoping relegation rivals Macclesfield would lose at home to Cambridge, initially went ahead with a Kane Hemmings penalty in the 52nd minute.

Macclesfield also went behind in their tie, and for around half an hour a miracle looked possible.

But Swindon replied with three goals after the hour mark, including a 92nd minute strike which ended all hope for the world’s oldest football league club. Macclesfield then went on to secure the draw they needed.

Current owner and chairman Alan Hardy is reported to be moving closer at selling the club to a South African consortium after they completed the due diligence process and have provided proof of funds.

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Current owner and chairman of Notts County Alan Hardy

Notts started this season badly, picking up one point out of the first fifteen available in the first five matches, which saw Kevin Nolan depart his job as manager.

Nolan steered Notts County to a fifth-place finish in the 2017/18 season, losing to Coventry in the play-off semi-finals who were eventually promoted by beating Exeter in the final at Wembley last May.

Harry Kewell was then appointed as manager but was sacked after just 73 days at the helm, winning three of his 14 games in charge in all competitions.

Notts were 22nd in League Two when he left in November.

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Notts County manager Neal Ardley

Later that month, former Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley took over with the Magpies sitting 23rd in League Two.

Midway through January, after losing 2-0 at Yeovil, Notts were cut seven points adrift of football league safety.

But a strong run of results drawing at home to Lincoln, winning at Forest Green Rovers and beating Mansfield at home saw the Magpies propel to two points from safety.

However Notts could not string another run of results together to get themselves out of the bottom two.

Video: Jon Stead, speaking in March, thinks Kevin Nolan should have stayed at the club

Veteran striker Jon Stead said in March he didn’t think Notts would have been in this position if Kevin Nolan stayed in charge at the club.