Notts still believe in play-off chances - Jones

Jodi Jones (left) hit the post in search of an equaliser against AFC Wimbledon in the first leg

Winger Jodi Jones says Notts County are unwavering in their belief they can get past AFC Wimbledon in the League Two play-offs despite losing the first leg of their semi-final as well as their two top scorers.

Leading marksman Alassana Jatta - who has netted 22 times in all competitions this term - is suspended for the game after being sent off in stoppage-time of their 1-0 defeat at Meadow Lane last week.

David McGoldrick, who has contributed 17 goals this term at the age of 37, was injured in that game and has been ruled out for what remains of the play-offs - even if that includes prevailing in Saturday's return tie at Plough Lane to reach the Wembley final on 26 May.

"We go there knowing we need to win - it's on us," Jones told BBC East Midlands Today.

"We need to go there and put on a performance. And I believe we can."

Malta international Jones says Notts' confidence comes from the costly home tie they lost just six days ago.

While they ended up a goal down on aggregate and lost two players who have contributed 39 goals between them, the Magpies did have numerous chances in an enthralling game.

Jones hit the post in the second half, while Wimbledon goalkeeper Owen Goodman made a number of excellent saves to deny Conor Grant, who also had a goalbound effort cleared late on by Josh Neufville.

"We opened them up and their keeper made some fantastic saves," Jones said.

"It gives us full belief in the next fixture, that if we go and do what we did and have the chances that we did, we will put them away and it will be a different story."

Even with Notts' attack losing its two focal points, Jones remains defiant about his side's chances of fighting back in the tie.

"They will probably be buzzing that he [McGoldrick] is not playing, but we will have something different now and I believe we have enough," Jones said.

"Of course, people will say where are the goals going to come from? It's a tough one to take, but we have enough quality in the squad."

The Magpies also have recent pedigree for pulling off remarkable play-off results.

Jones was part of the Magpies' remarkable National League campaign in 2023 that saw them promoted despite leading for less than 60 seconds across their two play-off games to go up.

He scored a last-gasp extra-time winner against Boreham Wood in their knockout semi-final at Meadow Lane as Notts fought back from two goals down, and he then went on to score in their penalty shootout win against Chesterfield at Wembley.

"We are Notts County and in the last play-offs we did it the hard way," Jones said.

"That speaks for itself. You can see it all over social media, reminding the guys."