Notts County picked up a useful point at Dean Court on Saturday as a stunning comeback saw two goals in stoppage time earn the Magpies a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth. Craig Short once again lined up with a 4-5-1 formation for the trip to the side who finished second behind Notts in League Two last season, but his side got off to the worst possible start. A long ball into the box wasn't dealt with and after some pinball eventually fell to young forward Josh McQuoid who swept it home to give the Cherries an early lead.
This gave the home side confidence and Notts were kept on the back foot, before the lead was doubled by McQuoid. A huge ball forward by Shwan Jalal in the Bournemouth goal caught Mike Edwards and Graeme Lee unaware, allowing McQuoid to nip in and lift the ball over Stuart Nelson. The hosts showed no sign of letting up and soon a third goal was added as a strong run and through ball from Liam Feeney released Marc Pugh, who was thwarted by Nelson, before the ball fell to Anton Robinson to stroke into an empty net.
It was threatening to turn into a disastrous afternoon for the Magpies, but they rallied immediately after the third goal as Ben Burgess struck his first goal for the club. Craig Westcarr's mazy run allowed him space to whip in a left footed cross, which was expertly turned home by Burgess on the half volley. This gave the Magpies some belief and the game started become more even, with Bournemouth's domination starting to subside. However, they should've sealed the win after the break when the ball fell to Feeney six yards out, but his striker was somehow flicked off the line by Lee.
This turned out to cost the Cherries as one final push in injury time saw Notts complete a memorable turn around. Firstly, Westcarr burst down the left flank and played the ball across the six yard box for Jake Jervis, who's shot clattered into the bar but fell once again for Westcarr who this time cut inside and lashed a shot past Jalal to give Notts hope. With the home fans whistling desperately and their side dropping deeper and deeper, Notts won a throw in which was flicked on by Westcarr and hit a Bournemouth defender before falling into the path of substitute Kevin Smith who hit a cool left footed shot into the far corner, sparking jubilant scenes amongst the travelling fans and Notts players.
AFC Bournemouth - Jalal, Pearce, Bartley, Wiggins, Purches, Cooper, Pugh, Robinson, Feeney (Hollands), McQuoid (Taylor), Symes (Bradbury)
Notts County - Nelson, Thompson, Lee, Edwards, Harley, Ravenhill (Jervis), Bishop, Davies, Spicer, Westcarr, Burgess (Smith)
AFC Bournemouth 3 (McQuoid 3, 25, Robinson 28)
Notts County 3 (Burgess 30, Westcarr 90+1, Smith 90+5)