AFC Wimbledon players celebrate after Josh Neufville's opening goalGetty Images

Josh Neufville's early goal settled the nerves for AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium

Chris Peddy
BBC Sport England at the Cherry Red Records Stadium

Josh Neufville's early goal sealed back-to-back wins over Notts County as AFC Wimbledon secured their spot in the League Two play-off final.

The Dons took a 1-0 lead into the game and Neufville settled any nerves on eight minutes as he expertly chipped former Wimbledon goalkeeper Alex Bass to double his side's aggregate lead.

Notts, missing top scorers Alessandra Jatta and David McGoldrick through suspension and injury respectively, could not find a way through the league's meanest defence and the hosts spurned several chances in the second half to put the game out of sight.

Johnnie Jackson's side will face Walsall in the final at Wembley on Monday, 26 May.

Wombles' finest hour since Plough Lane return

AFC Wimbledon fans at the Cherry Red Records StadiumGetty Images

AFC Wimbledon will face Walsall for a place back in League One after three years in the fourth tier

The Wombles made an emotional return to Plough Lane at the Cherry Red Records Stadium five years ago as a League One side and now have the opportunity to return to the third tier after a three-year absence.

No League Two side have conceded fewer than the 35 goals that Johnnie Jackson's side have let in this season.

And in the Saturday afternoon sun they made the perfect start with Neufville's early goal, as he calmly lobbed Bass.

The hosts withstood the Magpies' pressure in the first half and in the second had multiple chances through Marcus Browne to seal the win, with the forward denied by Bass and then a last-ditch challenge from Jacob Bedeau after capitalising on Matty Platt's mistake.

But for some inspired keeping from Bass and a remarkable diving save to keep out Matty Stevens' goalbound header, the hosts would have put the game to bed long before the end.

The fans chanted "we're going to Wembley" as they closed in on the win and a place in the final under the arch where they will take on a Saddlers side who also won both legs of their play-off semi-final.

Depleted Magpies attack lacks ruthless edge

Notts County goalkeeper produces a stunning save to deny Matty Stevens' goalbound headerRex Features

Notts County goalkeeper Alex Bass produced a stunning save to keep out Matty Stevens' goalbound header

From the outset, this was a tough assignment for Notts County – taking on the league's meanest defence while missing their two top scorers.

Jatta's red card at Meadow Lane ruled him out of the tie while McGoldrick was missing through injury, with the pair accounting for 39 goals between them this season.

Guinean striker Mai Traore was the player trusted by Stuart Maynard to step into that void, making just his third start for the club and having not yet scored since moving to Meadow Lane in February.

The 25-year-old made lots of purposeful runs in behind to stretch the Wimbledon defence but rarely tested goalkeeper Owen Goodman as Notts, who were playing National League football two seasons ago, managed just one shot on target despite having 73% possession.

'A goal worthy of winning any game' - reaction

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson told BBC Radio 5 Live:

"It was an unbelievable goal from Josh, he got in behind, controlled it. It's a goal worthy to win any game, any tie.

"We probably should have made it a little more comfortable with some of the chances we had in the second half on the counter attack.

"But we knew 1-0 would be enough today, so that's brilliant."

On his players' achievement:

"They're such a great group of lads, they give everything for me, for the club, for the shirt - I can't ask for any more.

"If it hadn't gone our way today, it wouldn't have been through lack of effort or endeavour so I'm so pleased for them. They deserve their shot."

Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"First and foremost, I'm devastated for the fans who were absolutely incredible today.

"On the game, it was very tough. I thought we started very bright on the edge of their box and we were camped in there quite a lot with a few efforts here and there.

"Then we conceded a very sloppy goal, and in these big games you just can't give a team of Wimbledon's quality at home, with their defensive record, a leg-up. That is what we have given them.

"Sometimes it's the type of goal you concede. We conceded a goal you shouldn't really concede, it's defensively poor from us as a group and it's frustrating.

"If he comes inside and puts one in the top corner, I think it's a different feeling and we come back. But it deflates you a little and goals change games.

"It made it a very up-hill battle. In the second half the frustration creeps in and I don't think we stick to the way we played in the first half, so it's frustrating."

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