Neal Ardley has been quizzed over rumours of interest from struggling Notts County after AFC Wimbledon battled in a Carabao Cup defeat against West Ham United.

The Magpies, who are currently winless in League Two with just a point from five games, are searching for a new manager following the departure of Kevin Nolan.

It’s been speculated they are keen to bring the 45-year-old in as his replacement, according to Sky Sports News, but are also said to be looking at Crawley Town boss Harry Kewell.

When asked about Notts County’s reported interest after the match, Ardley said: “Yeah, somebody else has just told me that. I've got no idea. That is the God's honest truth.

"The first I heard about it was over there with Sky.”

Joe Pigott handed the Dons a dream start when he rose highest to beat Adrián with a header from a corner after 74 seconds.

But they were soon reduced to 10 men when Rod McDonald was booked twice in the space of five minutes.

The Premier League side dominated the match, and found further goals through Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, and Javier Hernández.

Ardley believes McDonald’s sending off was a “massive, game-changing decision”.

He added: “I've looked it back - the first one, I think, they both missed the ball and it's a booking and that's fine. The second one, I think, is soft.

“There's a tiny bit of arm contact, he throws himself to the ground.

“I think that's a massive, game-changing decision but we're on the wrong side of it, we got on with it the rest of the time but I thought the boys did us proud.”