Mighty Mac ‘can deliver promotion for County’

COUNTY boss Stuart Maynard is keen for much-fancied star Macaulay Langstaff to stay at Meadow Lane and spearhead a push for promotion next season.

The striker’s

28th goal of the season was enough to give the Magpies victory over relegation-threatened Colchester, and Maynard is keen for him to stay.

Leading the way in the race for the League Two Golden Boot, Langstaff’s form has caught the attention of potential suitors, and despite having signed a new deal at the end of last season, has been linked with a move away.

“Not in my eyes,” Maynard said when asked if it was the last time the Notts number nine would play for the club in front of a Meadow Lane crowd. “We build our squad around these players and they are under contract. The owners have done their business brilliantly and our squad is strong now, but we have got to add to it.

“We know what it takes now in League Two and we want to make sure we are right in the mix next season.

“For me, my thoughts are that we want these lads with us. They are Notts County players so while they are Notts County players, we are looking to build the team around them. Macca’s goals will be key for us to have a chance of being in that top three next season.”

The visitors almost took the lead early on when Ellis Iandolo’s effort from distance almost caught Luca Ashby-Hammond off guard, tipping the ball onto the woodwork.

Jodi Jones then saw his effort clip off the crossbar and Daniel Crowley had a shot blocked on the line by Riley Harbottle.

But County’s pressure would pay two minutes later when good work between Aaron Nemane and Crowley was finished off by Langstaff, putting the ball in off the crossbar.

Harbottle almost secured the away side a point late on as his header came off the post, with Colchester

Danny Cowley’s side are just three points ahead of 23rdplaced Sutton as they head into their final two games.

“We got a little bit emotional after their goal and started to feel a bit sorry for ourselves,” he said.

“You can’t do that in football. It is not a good look, and it has never helped me win matches. Do the players have a right to feel sorry for themselves? Maybe.

“Does football care? No, it has never cared about excuses, and we have to be tougher.”