Paul Bolland was also back for The Magpies, but had to settle for a spot on the bench, as Dearden retained the same side as the week before.
Notts started brightly, with Paul Riley getting the better of the Cherrie’s defence as he smashed a shot across the face of goal in the early stages of the contest. Soon after Mark Stallard latched onto a well placed flick-on in
The Magpies seemed to be gathering momentum in the first 10 minutes as they piled on the pressure with relentless attacks from corners and free-kicks – attacks that, in the end, amounted to nothing.
Despite the Magpies pressure, the Cherries seemed to be slowly but surely containing a Notts side that had set themselves high standards after last week’s result.
After 14 minutes, Tony Barras struck a sweet shot reminiscent of his goal earlier in the campaign against
Steve Fletcher, following a collision with County’s Nicky Fenton earlier in the game was not making any friends amongst the Notts faithful as he was once more was in amongst it, this time with Ian Baraclough.
Then, Marcus Browning found himself in referee Mr. K. Wright’s black book for dissent following a foul from his team-mate, Carl Fletcher on Mark Stallard.
On the 38 minute mark, Paul Heffernan drilled an effort towards goal, only to see it caught by the
Shortly after and Steve Mildenhall was called into action for County, having to deal with a James Hayter volley to see out a fairly dull half.
HALF TIME:
Paul Riley was replaced during the break but it seems unclear as to whether he was injured, or whether it was a 'tactical' sub by Dearden somewhat, who then switched Simon Baldry from right to left, moving Paul Bolland into the now vacant right-wing slot.
The first action from this afternoon’s referee was to book Karl Broadhurst for a foul on Paul Heffernan. And before too long, the third booking of the game was brandished to Paul Bolland for ‘unsporting behaviour’.
Then Wade Elliot went on a fantastic run up the right flank from the edge of his own penalty to the right side of County’s, breezing Simon Baldry [twice] and Ian Richardson on his way before whipping in a cross for Steve Fletcher to head home at the far stick on 54 minutes.
It was a great run by Elliot, but from a Notts point of view, they really should have got a foot in before the cross was delivered.
Notts seldom looked the same side that claimed their first three points at
Paul Heffernan, who was probably Notts' best player, then came within inches of an equaliser.
His shot was struck with great power, and Neil Moss had no chance, but it cannoned back off Moss' right hand post.
After 72 minutes, Nick Fenton produced an athletic over-head kick that flew clean other the cross-bar from a Darren Caskey corner.
As tensions grew high over two somewhat concrete penalty claims for the ‘Pies, Darren Caskey was added to a growing list of players who picked up yellow cards after 80 minutes.
Then as the game was drawing to a close, Bill Dearden pulled out one of his trade-mark 85th minute substitutions as Tony Hackworth replaced Ian Richardson as Notts looked to salvage a point from the game.
A task they would have succeeded in doing had Darren Caskey not struck a late free-kick narrowly wide of the right-hand upright.
FULL TIME:
After this latest hurdle at which County have fell, the Notts County boo-boys will be once again calling for Dearden’s head despite that in a recent poll [courtesy of Notts County-Mad], 55.5 % of the voters said that they SHOULD get behind the manager.
Match Ratings to follow shortly.
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