It wasn't such a merry Christmas for County as December saw them suffer defeats to Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, Sheffield United and Oldham Athletic. January signalled the start of Notts County's 150th Anniversary, and they began with a 2-2 draw at home to Huddersfield Town. They then lost to AFC Bournemouth before draws against Milton Keynes Dons and Preston North End. They ended January with a 1-0 win away to Walsall before a 2-1 win over Exeter City. County then lost 3-0 at Hartlepool United, after which manager Martin Allen was sacked, and replaced by former England International Keith Curle. His tenure began with 4 straight wins over Stevenage, Chesterfield, Rochdale and Carlisle United before a 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers. However, they followed this up with a shock 4-2 win away at runaway leaders Charlton Athletic. But Notts were brought quickly back down to earth with defeats at home to Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United. A draw at Scunthorpe United followed before wins over Oldham Athletic, Leyton Orient, and Yeovil Town moved County right into the battle for the league's final play off spot. A 0-0 draw at Brentford had moved County into pole position to claim that final play off spot, but they suffered a surprise 4-2 defeat at home to Bury. Despite wins over Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester united in their final two games, Notts County missed out on the play offs on goal difference. League Cup County lost in the first round away from home at neir neighbours Nottingham Forest but only after a highly exciting game. the two sides were level at 2-2 after 90 minutes so they went to extra time. Notts went 3-2 up, and were seconds away from victory before Wes Morgan equalised for Forest. County lost on penalties. FA Cup Review Round 1 saw Notts comfortably beat league two side Accrington Stanley 4-1, before a 2-0 win away at Conference South high flyers Sutton United. A 2-0 win away at Championship club Doncaster Rovers followed before County were knocked out by fellow league one club Stevenage, costing them a home time with Tottenham Hotspurs.  1Although officially undisclosed, The Star reported the fee to be around £70,000