Salford City closed the gap on the Play-Off places in League Two with an impressive away victory at promotion-chasing Notts County.
Season-Defining Win
The Ammies stretched their unbeaten streak to five games ahead of their game in hand at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening. Successive draws had left their hopes of a top-seven finish hanging in the balance, and they had to sustain some early pressure from the hosts. Notts forward pairing David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta, who had scored 32 league goals between them prior to this match, linked up well throughout the opening period without threatening the scoresheet.
But it was Salford’s twelve-goal marksman and veteran forward Cole Stockton who delivered the opening blow. He required a huge slice of fortune, as his effort spiralled off Matty Platt into the far corner, leaving Sam Slocombe helpless. Notts failed to heed the warning signs, as moments earlier Kelly N’Mai dragged an effort wide of goal following a quick free-kick from Ossama Ashley.
But after he provided the cross for the opener, N’Mai wasn’t to be denied again by Slocombe. Hakeeb Adelakun was able to cut in with ease and fire towards the corner, but the Magpies’ keeper parried it wide, into the path of the Salford forward to double their advantage. Even after Notts pulled a goal back, the away side ramped up the pressure with Ben Woodburn clipping the post before N’Mai again missed a guilt-edged chance. But Luke Garbutt put the result beyond doubt with thirteen minutes to play, reacting quickest from a free-kick to fire through a sea of bodies and into the net.
Worrying Signs
On a night when County could have put pressure on the top three with a win, they instead face an anxious Saturday. A six-point gap to eighth place Colchester, who defeated Stuart Maynard’s outfit last Saturday, leaves them requiring a positive result at leaders Bradford City next Thursday evening.
Even an instinctive goal by David McGoldrick could not inspire a Notts fightback as they put on an abject showing. The introduction of George Abbott, along with Jodi Jones at the interval, briefly lifted the Meadow Lane crowd before the away side doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second period.
Writer’s View
Alarm bells have to be ringing for Stuart Maynard after the same defensive errors that plagued last season resurfaced at Meadow Lane last night. While they should have just enough points on the board to seal a Play-Off place, the fact the Magpies have lost to both sides chasing a top-seven spot should be of great concern if they were to meet again next month. But for Salford, they will be absolutely delighted with a professional away performance that keeps their season alive.
