Notts. County 0 Bournemouth 1

Last updated : 11 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

A smash and grab goal by Bournemouth's Steve Fletcher early in the second half inflicted on Notts County their fourth home defeat in seven starts - three of the four ending 1-0.

Bournemouth were well below strength because of international calls and a suspension but belied it with a confident performance in which they restricted County's scoring opportunities.

Though, unchanged at the start, County were nothing like as impressive as in their 3-0 canter over Colchester only a week ago. And the longer the game went the less impressive they looked.

A scoreless situation at the break was changed eight minutes into the second period and it all centred around the skills of the Cherries' midfielder Wade Elliott.

A Notts attack broke down with a poor cross by Steve Jenkins and, from that, Elliott broke brilliantly, sprinting nearly half the length of the field before crossing the ball to the unmarked Steve Fletcher at the back post where he headed home his fourth goal of the season.

Notts should have recognised that Fletcher is the number one danger man for Bournemouth and he should not have been left unmarked.

There were only two moments when Notts seemed to have hard lines and they both surrounded young Irish striker Paul Heffernan.

First he smacked a great drive against the inside of Neil Moss's right hand upright and, moments later, seemed well justified with his penalty claim which was waved aside by referee Kevin Wright.

Notts had lost Paul Riley to a hamstring injury at half time, Paul Bolland replacing him, and with five minutes remaining manager Billy Dearden brought a third striker, Tony Hackworth off the bench.

But by then Bournemouth were not going to relax their grip as they achieved their third away victory of the season and left the Magpies in deep trouble.

Dearden said afterwards: "We have to set about getting out of the bottom four as a matter of urgency."