White is the Darling

Last updated : 16 December 2006 By Paul Smith

After three defeats in three League 2 games, Notts County have slipped out of the Playoff zone for the first time since August, but a single goal today saw the Magpies come out on top against fellow Playoff chasers Darlington.

Captain Alan White was the hero with a header after good work from both Lawrie Dudfield and Jay Smith in the 84th minute.

Going into the game, the home side had also lost there last three fixtures, though one was in the Cup, and they had still been unbeaten at home since Swindon travelled north in August.

Under Dave Penney, the Quakers went through the month of November with a 100% record, and that had propelled them into Playoff reach.

Prior to the proceedings today, only a place and a point separated the sides, with Notts one above in each case.

Because of the enormity of the task, with the home side clear favourites, Notts boss Steve Thompson had many a headache during the week in terms of team selection. With top goalscorer Jason Lee suspended, and perhaps Notts' best player and reigning Player of the Season, David Pipe injured, plus out of form individuals, Thompson had much to ponder.

Parkinson... chance after chance
He did make changes with midfielder Matt Somner back in the side for Pipe, with Ian Ross moving to the right hand side of the midfield. Dudfield replaced Lee and Junior Mendes partnered him up front with Andy Parkinson dropping back into midfield and Daryl McMahon to the substitutes bench.

There he was joined by Stephen Hunt, back from injury, and Tcham N'Toya who has been absent from the squad since the defeat in the Fa Cup at Leyton Orient.

The tempo in the first half was disappointing for a top half clash, but Smith, Notts' on loan midfield who signed an extended deal from Southend yesterday, was beginning to look the part with some good touches in the middle of the park taking Notts into the ascendancy.

However, the game seemed to be more about the toil than the tactics, and this perhaps suited Notts who were performing as they had done away from Meadow Lane at the start of the season.

Defensively they seemed much more resilient, and Mike Edwards and White at the heart of it all, were looking stronger than for a long time.

Dudfield was clearly on a mission to keep his place, and his hard work forced an opening but his shot wasn't the best and unlikely to trouble David Stockdale in the home goal.

Darlington were the next to trouble with their top goalscorer Martin Smith heading over Deeney but away from goal, then Michael Cummins had a shot cleared by White.

A corner from the Quakers ended with the ball in the back of the net on the thirty-second minute, but it was eventually ruled out. Defender Darren Holloway, who had headed in was adjudged to have fouled Notts goalkeeper Saul Deeney.

Parkinson then had the chance of the first half after more good work from Dudfield on the flanks. His pull back was met with a vicious drive from the former Tranmere striker, but Stockdale brilliantly parried away, before it was cleared.

Darlington seemed shocked into life and Holloway again headed at goal, this time not finding the net, before Alun Armstrong miscued when well placed.

The lively Parkinson seemed eager to grab his third goal of the season, after Ian Ross crossed right through the box, the winger couldn't get the necessary control on the ball as he stretched, stabbing it only wide.

Notts' travelling army of between three and four hundred fans were clearly the happier going into the break, as the frustrated home gathering at the TFM 96.6 arena muttered a few jeers at the break.

Darlington produced there best spell of the game as a result of that, when they re-appeared for the second period.

There best player during the game, wide mad Neil Wainwright cut inside and zipped a drive over the bar, before Armstrong was replaced by the powerful Barry Conlon who immediately made his presence felt.

White... Involved at both ends

The one time Notts target shot the ball into the ground which made it easy for Deeney, but a better effort that came close to opening the scoring followed. A thunderbolt from the Irishman appeared destined for the top corner, but White intervened with his stomach forcing the ball out for a corner. The hosts protested for handball, but the referee rightly waved it away.

Somner was industrious in midfield, and the back four holding up well, allowing the Magpies to get more into the game. This was particularly so with Mendes and Dudfield both grafting an awful lot up front.

Parkinson had his third good chance of the game, after cleverly working his own opening. After beating the right full back he shot across ground from a tight angle, but the ball smashed Stockdale's post to the agony of the Notts contingent.

McMahon, who joined Smith yesterday in extending his loan deal, entered the action in place of Ross, with Parkinson moving to the right wing to fit the Leyton Orient player in.

Gary Silk then almost gave Notts the advantage, despite a weak effort. Stockdale didn't hold onto it and it spilled towards goal, before he spared his blushes by getting to the ball before it span in.

Dudfield then missed a golden chance when well placed, but he could only hit his effort into the arms of Stockdale.

N'Toya replaced Junior Mendes up front on the 84th minute

Notts were clearly the better side, and deservedly grabbed their winner six minutes from time. From a McMahon corner, White challenged but it was scraped away. The tireless Dudfield worked hard to retrieve possession and find Smith whose pinpoint cross was met by White to thunder home with a trademark header, his fifth in Notts colours.

Last weeks goalscorer Dan Martin made a late appearance in place of Dudfield.

A frantic and nervous end did ensue with four minutes added on instead of the said three. But as with the whole of the game, the Notts defence rose to the challenge to see it out.

The result moves Notts to within a point of the Playoffs.