They think it's all over...as Hurst nets hat-trick

The win came largely thanks to a brilliant hat-trick from Glynn Hurst, while some excellent goalkeeping at the other end from Wayne Henderson also played a large part in claiming the three points.

While the scoreline blatantly flattered Millsy's men, Mills himself can point to some horrendous luck at the start of the season when the players were dominating matches, but coming away with nothing. What a difference an on-form striker makes.

Mills made two changes for the trip to Spotland, from the side that bravely lost 3-2 to West Ham in mid-week.

Baudet: Came close early on

On-loan Henderson returned in goal in-place of Saul Deeney, while Mike 'Steady Eddy' Edwards, now ruled out for the remainder of the season, was replaced by the fit-again Julian Baudet.

Meanwhile, strikers Matty Williams and Marvin Robinson were left out of the squad altogether, with Mills again showing his man-management skills by publicly slating Williams, in a similar way to that of keeper Steve Mildenhall.

The formation may have been 4-4-2, but, with two full-backs, Rob Ullathorne and David Pipe, being used as wingers, and a winger, Tony Scully, as an orthodox striker, the side certainly had a defensive look about it.

The game, played in front of a measly crowd of 2,370, took a while to get going, with big defender Baudet being the only man with threatening efforts inside the first 20 minutes. First, he hit a free-kick narrowly over the bar, before attempting an improvised overhead kick that flew dangerously wide.

However, the real talking point from the game's opening came when Rochdale midfielder Ernie Cooksey appeared to deliberately elbow Notts' young defender, Kelvin Wilson. With Wilson in-need of attention from the physio, and the travelling supporters baying for blood, referee Mark Cowburn deemed a yellow card suitable punishment.

This led to a much faster tempo, but it was the home side who react

Henderson: Outstanding

ed better and went on to take control of the half.

In a 20 minute spell, the home side bombarded Henderson's goal with efforts at goal, but credit to the Irish stopper, and also the defence of Baudet, Ian Richardson and Mike Whitlow, Notts stood firm.

Henderson made in particular good saves from Paul Tait (twice) and Gary Jones. Cooksey, lucky to be on the field, also missed a sitter when he headed over from 6 yards.

But it came as a huge shock to everyone when, hugely against the run of play, the Magpies took the lead in the 42nd minute.

The goal came when a long throw from Matt Gill was flicked-on by Richardson and HURST managed to take advantage of some slack marking by firing home from close range.

County fans, and players alike, couldn't believe it as, after a half of being under pressure for long periods, they went into the break 1-0 up thanks to their one effort on target.

Half Time: Rochdale AFC 0-1 NOTTS COUNTY

Mills made one change at the break, bringing on on-loan Youssef Sofiane in place of the out of sorts Scully, who never looked happy playing down the middle.

The home side continued to pressure, however, and the brilliant Henderson pulled off another two excellent saves inside the opening 15 minutes of the second period, while Gary Jones also hit a post.

Hurst: Hat-trick hero

With just 5 minutes of the second half underway though, the Magpies ever-growing injury list gained another name, with Rob Ullathorne having to depart with a calf strain. He was replaced by Craig Pead, who after coming on looked a far better player then that who we've seen so far during his spell at the club.

Notts had weathered the storm, and on 65 minutes it was HURST again who made it 2-0.

The former Chesterfield frontman, who has endured a torrid start to his Magpies career, picked up on a loose ball in the centre of the field, sprinted towards goal and calmly slotted the ball past the oncoming 'keeper. Ding, dong!

Despite Rochdale winning a number of corners between then and the end, the win for the visitors was never really in doubt after that moment.

And it was fitting when, with injury time rapidly approaching, that man HURST claimed the match-ball by netting his hat-trick and repeated the feat set by his name-sake, Geoff, in the 1966 World Cup Final.

This time, Hurst linked well with impressive debutant O'Grady, on for head-wound victim Sofiane, and the on-form hitman curled a right foot shot beyond the dive of the keeper to send the travelling supporters home delirious, and the home followers (what there was of them) cursing their luck.

Full Time: Rochdale AFC 0-3 NOTTS COUNTY

A great win for Notts, though we mustn't get carried away. The result was far better than the performance.

Clearly, despite the club having seven strikers on its books, much will depend on Hurst and his ability to finish, that he proved he had today.

A good day all round, though, and we've now hit the dizzy heights of 17th!! Let's now hope the side can finally get over their Meadow Lane hoodoo and pick up their first home win of the season at some point next week.

Match ratings to follow.

Notts: Henderson, Wilson, Baudet, Richardson, Whitlow, Pipe, Bolland, Gill, Ullathorne (Pead 51), Hurst, Scully (Sofiane 45) (O'Grady 74).

Subs Not Used: Deeney, Friars.