Anyone wanting to see how much improvement has been made since the managerial team of Gudjon Thordarson and Ross MacLaren took over in the summer should simply stop and look at the league table.
Winning at home and drawing away. Those who said Thordarson would want to keep things nice and simple have certainly been proved correct.
(6 Average)
Kevin Pilkington - 7, Was needed far more than in the previous two games of this campaign and stood up to the challenge well. Made three top class saves to help the Magpies keep their advantage and has thus far proved a signing of the highest order. Will be interesting to see how he fares at his old club tomorrow afternoon.
Brian O'Callaghan - 8, Has already had his far share of criticism since signing in the summer, but O'Callaghan proved just how unwarranted this was with a stirring display yesterday. Not only was his defending of the highest order, but his skill on the ball immaculate. A top showing.
Julien Baudet - 7, Another solid display against the niggly duo of Walker and Agogo. Both of the Rovers strikers were big, strong, pacy customers, but Baudet - alongside Wilson - was able to rebuff them with relative ease. One goal-saving tackle was truly a joy.
Kelvin Wilson - 7, Was able to deal with Agogo with composure that, once again, belied his tender years. A true star in the making.
Rob Ullathorne - 7, Another top showing from the club captain, who continues to play with the energy of a man half his age. Seemed as if he could have been handed his marching orders after reacting to a terrible challenge, but thankfully the referee saw sense and just handed the veteran a deserved yellow.
David Pipe - 7, A typical energetic first half showing before eventually succumbing to a thigh injury sustained early on in the second period. A model professional at just 22, Pipe will always give his heart towards the cause.
Matty Gill - 6, A surprise starter in-place of McMahon, Gill showed enough to suggest that this campaign should be an improvement on the last. Showed good strength and work rate to win the ball on a number of occasions, but question marks must be raised over whether he and Edwards can play together on a regular basis.
Mike Edwards - 6, Goes about his business quietly in midfield, and was required to go forward much more than usual with Gill alongside him. Steady.
Chris Palmer - 5, Excellent delivery from set pieces, but Palmer offered little in terms of actual contribution on the game itself. Mercifully substituted in the 77th minute.
Steve Scoffham - 7, Lively in attack, Scoffham twice came close with long-range efforts that flew narrowly wide. On the day, provided an excellent foil for Hurst and is well worthy of his spot in the side at present.
Glynn Hurst - 8, Star man. Could Thordarson's quest for a goal-scorer be over before it's even begun? While fans raved about the team lacking a regular hitman, Hurst waited patiently on the sidelines, before taking his chance with devastating effect yesterday. Two headed goals, with another striking the post and a dis-allowed effort to boot, the big test will be whether he can keep this standard up.
Subs
Stacy Long (Pipe, 69) - 6, Full of running but unable to really make an impact on procedings after coming off the bench.
Lewis McMahon (Palmer, 77) - 7, May have been surprised to start amongst the substitutes, but performed well out-of-position after coming on. Delivered an excellent corner that set-up Hurst's second.
Andy White (Scoffham, 81) - 6, Didn't have much time to make an impact, but his height created an outlet in the latter stages.