Knowles in the goals again but Magpies slip up
NOTTS County suffered a second successive National League defeat as Solihull Moors came from behind to secure the points at Damson Park.
The Magpies dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead when Lewis Knight teed up Jimmy Knowles to open the scoring with an instinctive volley.
Top scorer Kyle Wootton should have doubled the lead when he headed Dion Kelly-evans’ cross over the bar as the Magpies dominated.
The striker was then denied by goalkeeper Ryan Boot after the break and the lack of a second goal proved costly when Ball tapped in from close range after Kyle Hudlin made a nuisance of himself in the area.
Wootton felt he should have been awarded a penalty moments after the Moors’ equaliser when he was dragged down in the area, but referee Andrew Miller was not interested.
And it was left to Hudlin to wrap up three points when he stabbed home after a goalmouth scramble.
Head coach Ian Burchnall made three changes to the starting 11 which lost 2-0 to Hartlepool United at the weekend.
Dion Kelly-evans, Lewis Knight and Alex Lacey all came in, with
Jim O’brien, Jordan Barnett and Enzio Boldewijn left out.
Within the opening five minutes, Notts carved out an opportunity when Regan Griffiths spread play out wide to Knowles, who flashed a cross into the box but nobody was on hand to capitalise.
But it was not long before Notts made their early superiority count with a fine goal.
Kelly-evans rampaged up the right flank as Knight gave support, with the striker’s pace taking him to the bye-line where he managed to turn a fine cross to the back post.
Knowles had drifted into the back post and he produced a clinical finish on the volley to give the Magpies a deserved lead.
Solihull were struggling to maintain any rhythm thanks to Notts’ aggression without the ball, but they soon gave the visitors a reminder of their threat.
Former Notts defender Jordan Cranston was the architect as he was afforded space to cross from the left, with Hudlin, standing at 6ft 9in, lurking in the area.
The ball was fizzed into his direction but Mark Ellis was there to produce a vital touch that sent the ball skipping out for a corner, which came to nothing.
Notts were soon back on the front foot as Knowles tried to find the run of Kyle Wootton but, in his desperation to make an interception, Tyrone Williams volleyed his clearance straight to his own goalkeeper.
Cranston then fired a shot over the bar from distance before Notts went on the attack again which should have brought their second goal.
Kelly-evans was again involved as he rampaged down the flank and he produced a peach of a cross to find the unmarked Wootton.
Goalkeeper Ryan Boot came flying out to meet him and perhaps his decision affected Wootton’s judgement as he sent a header over.
The Magpies went in search of a second goal after the break and it nearly arrived when Lacey was left unmarked at a free kick but could only direct his header at Boot.
Wootton then forced a fine save from Boot, who turned his low drive around the post.
From Adam Chicksen’s corner, the striker then produced a firm header which flew straight at Boot when either side of him would have extended Notts’ lead.
Notts were comfortable but almost surrendered their lead when Griffiths was loose in possession and Hudlin shot from 25 yards.
It seemed destined for the top corner until Sam Slocombe, who showed incredible agility, tipped it on to the bar.
Solihull boss Mark Yates decided to make a change when he introduced James Ball and it proved an inspired change as with the forward’s first touch he hauled Solihull level with a close-range finish.
Hudlin made it 2-1 when he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to poke in as Notts were made to rue their missed chances.