Match Ratings...Vs Darlington

Last updated : 08 January 2006 By Rob Davies
(6 Average)

Kevin Pilkington - 6, Assured handling once again and was faultless with both goals. Easily the signing of the summer.

Brian O'Callaghan - 7, Star man. Is enjoying his best run of form in his Notts County career. So much more comfortable in a back three as opposed to as an orthodox right back, the defender's aerial ability got the Magpies out of a number of situations, and also posed a threat at offensive set-pieces.

Julien Baudet - 6, Stepped-up to convert the penalty and delivered an otherwise solid performance at the heart of the Magpies defence.

Dan Martin - 6, Must be in dreamland. Just a week ago Martin was lucky to even get on the bench for a senior game, now the youngster has netted in his second successive game with a cool left-footed effort.

Chris Palmer - 6, Fantastic delivery on set-pieces but has struggled defensively in his new wing-back slot.

David Pipe - 7, Extremely quiet first half before coming to life in the second period, grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. Unlucky with a couple of long-range efforts that fizzed narrowly over the top.

Mike Edwards - 6, Dependable as ever in the middle, Edwards' aerial ability was again in evidence from both attacking and defensive set-pieces.

Lewis McMahon - 5, Dreadfully quiet throughout, though did deliver an excellent throughball for Needham that created the penalty. With Stacy Long on the bench, may consider himself fortunate at present.

Liam Needham - 7, Not always great defensively, but showed great ability to create both the first and third goals. The non-contract player is well worth a deal until the end of the season.

Jake Sheridan - 6, Buzzed around in attack before limping off early in the second period. Unlucky to feature in the half where the strikers were granted no service.

Andy White - 6, Rounded on again by certain sections of the home 'support', but White's display was an improvement to the abject one we saw on Monday. Always attempted to link-up the play, weaknesses are there, but he deserves help - not hinderance - from his own fans.

Subs

Steve Scoffham (Sheridan, 52) - 7, Finally ended his goal drought, wasn't always able to adapt to the Magpies ever-changing formation in the second period.

Kelvin Wilson (White, 56) - 7, Won't be a game he'll forget in a hurry. Surprisingly thrust into attack for the first ever time, the youngster showed neat control on numerous occasions and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Don't give up the day job, mind.

Not Used: Marshall, Long, DeBolla.

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