Their passing was largely on the grass, there was occasional fluidity in their play and the introductions of loanees Myles Weston and James Walker with 20 minutes to go revitalised the Magpies to such an extent that they should have finished the game with at least two more goals to their tally.
All this, against the worst team to visit Meadow Lane in recent years. A side who not only lacked quality, but lacked genuine work rate and any sort of fight. In name only were yesterday's Boston United side a professional football team.
Combining these two factors makes it a very hard set of ratings to compile.
(6 Average)
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David Pipe - Now back in the position considered by most supporters to be his best, Pipe offered both defensive solidarity and an attacking outlet without an orthodox right winger in-front of him. 6
Mike Edwards - Supreme at the heart of the Magpies defence, Edwards' record since being moved back into the back four says it all. Three games, three clean-sheets. Surely player of the season elect. 7
Stephen Hunt - The youngster has rightly earned rave reviews since becoming a permanent fixture in the team. A key component of a very strong-looking back four, he coped with the physical presence of Drewe Broughton relatively comfortably. 6
Austin McCann - Had the left back not had a horrendous drop in form mid-season, he would surely be a strong contender for the club's player of the season. Another strong showing here, his delivery from set-pieces was best-illustrated by the beauty that led to the Magpies second goal. 7
Jay Smith - Stepped up to the plate and ran the show. Opinions on Steve Thompson's performance in his first season have been varied, but his ratio of successful signings isn't bad and, along with Lee, Smith is the pick of them. Rarely wasted a pass and his ball through to Parkinson for the opener was a delight. 8
Gary Silk - A holding-midfield role has revitalised the youngster, who had
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Ian Ross - It was hard not to feel for Ross when ironic cheers greeted his withdrawal on the hour, but the midfielder had again failed to deliver against opposition against whom he should have flourished. Granted more time on the ball then in any other game this season, the youngster's distribution was again hit-and-miss and his set pieces well below the standards set by Smith and McCann after he was replaced. 5
Andy Parkinson - Another who should have really produced more in a game where he had the opportunity to do so. Parkinson did well to set-up Lee's opener, but surely will have been disappointed not to round his full-back more or make use of the vast amounts of space, particularly in the first half, he had to run into. Faded badly before the end. 6
Jason Lee - It is a sign of the times for Lee that he sensibly spent the entire last 10 minutes completely grounded when aerial balls were in his direction, for fear of a booking. Showed strength to net his 16th of the season and his aerial presence was again a key factor for the second. A revelation. 7
Lawrie Dudfield - Again asked to play in an unfamilar spot on the left of a front three, Dudfield once more showed some neat touches and great link-up play without ever really troubling the visiting goalkeeper. 6
Subs
Matt Somner (Ross, 61) - His first goal for Notts and his first in four years clearly gave Somner an appetite, as he twice tried long-range efforts after netting. The second, a forty-yard lob with Alan Marriot well off his line, wasn't far off becoming the most memorable goal at Meadow Lane this season. 7
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James Walker (Dudfield, 71) - Like his Charlton team-mate, demonstrated just why he should have played more since arriving here. Possessing a first-touch to better any of the strikers at Notts in recent years, he held-the-ball up immaculately and produced a series of skills that had the crowd on their feet. 8
Not Used: Michael Byron, Tcham N'Toya.
Davies' Man of the Match: Jay Smith