Report, highlights & reaction: Notts County 5-0 Morecambe

The Shrimps ended 2023 with a heavy defeat at Meadow Lane, on a difficult night for Ged Brannan’s men.

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It began in the tenth minute, when the Magpies were awarded a penalty after David Tutonda was adjudged to have fouled Aaron Nemane inside the box. Macauley Langstaff sent Adam Smith the wrong way from 12 yards.

A few minutes later, Langstaff doubled the home side’s advantage. Smith failed to gather a cross shot from the left and there was County’s number nine to smash home from close range.

Former Shrimp, Dan Crowley, made it three just past the midway point of the first half, sneaking between two defenders to head home at the back post.

Then, ten minutes before the break, Langstaff completed his hat-trick.

Again Morecambe failed to clear their lines and Langstaff curled a fine effort into the top corner from 20 yards.

In the closing seconds of the first half, a deflected cross courtesy of Jordan Slew cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.

County made it five less than a minute after the restart.

Jodi Jones was allowed to run into the Morecambe area, before firing left footed, low into the bottom corner.

Half-time substitute Michael Mellon headed wide, before a lob over keeper Aidan Stone brushed the outside of the post.

At the other end, an excellent save from Smith denied David McGoldrick on 71 minutes when he was found in space in the penalty area.

Yann Songo'o and JJ McKiernan also saw late efforts fly wide of the target.

The Shrimps now prepare to face Harrogate Town at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on New Year's Day.