Notts County remain rooted to the foot of the League Two table as Nicky Law’s last-gasp goal gave 10-man Exeter City a crucial win at Meadow Lane.
With Yeovil losing at the MK Dons and Macclesfield drawing 2-2 with Stevenage, the Magpies had a golden chance to gain ground on the sides above them in a game they dominated but lacked cutting edge.
Despite seeing Exeter striker Ryan Bowman sent off in the first half for two bookable offences, the Magpies couldn’t make their man advantage count even though they enjoyed the bulk of the possession.
Craig Mackail-Smith wasted the best chance of the first half when he hooked over the bar from close range from an Enzio Boldewijn cross.
Matt Tootle tried an audacious lob which was easily saved by Pym, while Boldewijn saw an effort deflected into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Notts tried to up the ante in the second half as they camped in Exeter’s half for large spells with Jim O’Brien forcing Pym to fumble from long range which the visitors hacked clear.
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Matt Tootle forced Pym into an excellent save from just inside the box as Notts tried everything in a bid to unlock an Exeter defence that was extremely well marshalled.
Jon Stead, on as a second-half substitute, tried his luck from outside the box but couldn’t find the target as Notts were left frustrated on an afternoon they could have taken huge strides towards safety.
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And it was left to Law to snatch all three points when he headed in following good work from Donavan Wilson.
