Notts County ran out comfortable winners in a 3-1 League Two victory over Doncaster but demanding manager Luke Williams was not fully convinced by their efforts.
A brace from Macauley Langstaff and a Jodi Jones strike had County in total control on their way to a first away win back in the EFL, before Deji Sotona grabbed an added-time consolation for the hosts.
Williams did not believe the scoreline was reflective of the game and said there was much better to come from the Magpies.
“We need to improve our focus and concentration at the end because one or two sloppy things meant that we conceded a goal on a day that our keeper deserved a clean sheet,” he said.
“The first half was also a bit cagey and there wasn’t much in the game but we took our chances.
“Otherwise, Doncaster made it difficult for us to build up to the final third. The goals changed the game, though, and the second straight after half-time took the sting out of it a bit.
“I’m delighted with the scoreline, even though I’m not sure it was a true reflection of the game.”
Langstaff – who scored 42 goals en route to National League promotion last season – got off the mark for the campaign.
Williams said: “He came close to a hat-trick and deserved the goals for the workrate he’s been putting in for us this season.
“He’ll be looking to get another brace now because he likes his goal-a-game ratio and is playing catch-up.”
Doncaster boss Grant McCann was bitterly disappointed with a lack of fight shown by his side, who continue to chase their first league win of the season.
McCann labelled the performance unacceptable and said the issues must be addressed quickly as he looks to correct a poor start to the season.
He said: “When you watch the first goal back, we don’t sprint, we don’t close it down quick enough and we let (John) Bostock just cross the ball. This is something we have to improve on.
“What I see at the minute is teams with more energy and more aggression than us out of possession and that is something I can’t live with. I can live with getting beat when a team is head and shoulders better than us. At times Notts County were.
“But I can’t live with people not running and working – that’s on us.
“We concede from a cross into the box and we leave someone who scored 40-odd goals last season completely free and then we do the exact same at the start of the second half in the middle of the box to give ourselves a mountain to climb in the game.”
Al-Nassr 1-2 Al-Qadsiah: Aubameyang winner ends hosts' unbeaten run
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the winner as Al-Qadsiah inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday to end their 21-match unbeaten run.
Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh league goal of the season put Al-Nassr ahead, but Al-Qadsiah replied swiftly through Julian Quinones before Aubameyang struck the decisive blow.
The hosts drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Ronaldo slotted home after Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels had spilled a routine catch from Talisca's cross.
However, Al-Nassr's joy was short-lived when Quinones brought down Turki Al Ammar's delivery five minutes later, with the Mexcio winger firing past Bento to level the scores.
Quinones also played a part in the winning goal after brilliantly turning the ball back across goal from Nahitan Nandez's search pass to tee up a simple finish for Aubameyang.
The result sees Al-Qadsiah move level on 22 points with third-placed Al-Nassr, with Al-Shabab also level with them.
Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr are six points adrift of defending champions and leaders Al-Hilal, who also have a game in hand.
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino
Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.
Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season.
A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season.
"The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.
The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break.
Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September.
Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports.
The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July.
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