Take the situation that was before us going into last night's game; Notts led the League Two table by one point ahead of Rochdale, who had finally surrendered their lead last Tuesday despite holding an eighteen point lead over the Magpies at one point. With both sides automatically promoted at the weekend, this looked like being a straight shoot out for who wanted to win the championship, with Dale really having to pick up three points at Meadow Lane if they wanted a fighting chance. Does that sound like a game that needs a bit of extra spice? Not really. That wasn't to stop Keith Hill though, who's ill judged and misinformed comments to Five Live after Dale's promotion at the weekend made Notts even more determined to overcome Hill's side and made the atmosphere inside a bouncing Meadow Lane that little bit more intimidating for the visitors. Thanks for that one, Keith.
It's becoming a regular line in these reports, but Notts yet again started with an unchanging starting line up, meaning Luke Rodgers failed to regain his place despite still being at the club with his move to New York in limbo. For the visitors, Hill decided to line up with a 4-5-1 formation that saw Chris Dagnall lead the line on his own and former goal shy Notts forward Chris O'Grady pushed out to the left wing. Over 10,000 people were packed into Meadow Lane by kick off and the noise was deafening by the time the sides entered the field of play, shortly followed by Hill who was greeted by a chorus of boos. It was Hill's side who began to dominate the early exchanges though as they found lots of the ball with an extra man in central midfield. Jason Kennedy was able to carve out the first opening down the right, but his excellent cross was sliced high and wide by O'Grady, displaying the kind of finishing prowess that Notts fans will remember.
Notts created their first chance of the night at the other end as a clever short corner saw Ben Davies' delivery sharply fired at goal by Graeme Lee, who's effort was turned away by the knee of Dale 'keeper Frank Fielding. The atmosphere off the pitch was electric as a banner mocking the visitors' ability to throw away such an imposing lead was passed around the kop, whilst the 1,005 away fans responded with a rendition of "going up and we pay our bills (but only after a court date and winding up order have been issued)". Dale continued to dominate possession without seriously threatening the Notts back line and this impotency came back to haunt them in a moment that represented an eery symmetry. O'Grady and Tom Kennedy ran into each other in a disastrous moment reminiscent of the Graeme Lee and Stephen Hunt horror show that gifted Rochdale all three points back at Spotland. Neal Bishop seized on the ball and played a delightfully weighted through ball to Lee Hughes, who took a touch before curling the ball over Fielding and into the top corner from the edge of the area. Cue delirium and relief around Meadow Lane.
This, along with a switch to match Dale's 4-5-1 formation, saw Notts see more of the ball as the game opened up. Ben Davies jinked his way past three Dale players before lashing a 25 yard shot inches wide of the far post to end the first half of a pulsating game of football. The second half rolled around and Dale began brightly once again, with O'Grady slicing a shot over the bar in a rare moment when he wasn't facing the wrong goal. Notts continued to look the more likely side to score though and so nearly did when Neal Bishop hit a thunderous 25 yard strike that clipped the crossbar on it's way over. Delroy Facey then set about on his personal duel with the Dale goal, firstly heading over a Hughes cross and then toepoking hopelessly over from twelve yards. His final effort forced a brilliant save from Fielding down to his left however and this nearly cost Notts as sub Andy Howarth produced a dazzling run and thunderous 30 yard strike out of nowhere that is probably still rattling the Kop end crossbar. O'Grady had by now resorted to the most amusing dive seen by an opposition player all season, with even Mark Halsey looking embarrassed by the swan-like fall.
That elusive second goal just wouldn't come for Notts as Hughes saw Fielding somehow claw his left footed effort away from the top corner, whilst Ben Davies' through ball saw Hughes play the ball across goal and just away from the toe of Facey. Three minutes of injury time felt like an eternity to everyone with a black and white tendency in Meadow Lane, but when O'Grady summed up his night by horribly misfiring over the bar the party could start as Notts all but sealed the League Two title. Four points clear with a game in hand, victory at Port Vale on Saturday could seal it for the Magpies.
But we all know that in this title race, a big lead means absolutely nothing.