SLADE’S BOYS STUN MAGPIES
GRIMSBY boss Russell Slade felt his Mariners team laid down a “little marker” as they held highflying Notts County to a draw at Meadow Lane.
The Mariners had the best chance of a drab game when Jamille Matt saw a shot brilliantly saved by Ross Fitzsimons.
Defensively, Grimsby were solid, with goalkeeper James McKeown rarely threatened by the second-placed Magpies.
And Slade, whose side are now unbeaten in four games, paid tribute to blunting the Magpies, who have been formidable at home this term.
“I thought we started the game really well and that’s what we were searching for,” he said.
“We have started games on the front foot recently and we needed to do that again.
“By the end of the half, Notts County showed why they are in the mix at this moment in time.
“They came back into the game but again, we started the second half really well and matched them and in the end, we put a little marker down.
“We defended well and you have to against Notts because they do the basics really well.
“They are relentless with it. They look for corners, freekicks, and they get the ball in to the front two then look for support.
“You’ve got to negate all those things and that’s what we did.”
Grimsby created the best chance of the game when Matt fended off the attentions of Shaun Brisley and drove towards the far corner, only for Fitzsimons to make a save with his leg.
From the corner, the striker then fluffed a good chance six yards out as the Mariners looked to end the Magpies’ unbeaten home record in the league.
Notts showed some threat in the second half when Jorge Grant saw a deflected shot go wide of the post before Shola Ameobi planted a header offtarget.
They were the only chances of note in a hard-fought game and Magpies boss Nolan accepted his side were far from their best going forwards.
“I don’t think we were really at it and we were not our usual selves,” lamented the Meadow Lane chief.
“Our ability on the ball wasn’t quite up to the standard compared to what it has been. We didn’t create enough giltedged chances and we couldn’t sustain any pressure.
“Sometimes you have to say it’s a job well done by the opposition as well as us not being at the top of our game.
“But as I say, you have to respect a point and it’s another clean sheet, which I am delighted about.
“We looked good defensively. They had a chance in the first half but apart from that, I thought the lads were in control.
“All the lads did the right things out of possession but with the ball, we just weren’t as good as what we have been.”