Magpies’ double act could be shot in arm
SHAUN Derry believes Notts County’s astonishing comeback against Port Vale could be the catalyst for their quest for League One survival.
The Magpies were 2-0 down inside 25 minutes, but incredibly fought back to claim a 4-2 win which took them out of the relegation zone.
Two goals apiece for Jimmy Spencer and Jamal Campbell-Ryce sealed the turnaround against a Vale team which has not won away in the league since last November.
Paying tribute to his side, Derry said their character was instrumental in overturning a deficit which left them looking odds on for defeat.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve managed to redeem ourselves again after many people would have labelled us dead and buried at 2-0 down,” he said.
“We always knew the home games would be pivotal for us but I never envisaged it to go the way it did against Port Vale.
“But I am very thankful that it did. Really, 2-0 is a horrible scoreline because if the team who is behind gets the next goal, it causes all kinds of problems for the team which is leading.
“So to get to 2-1 was crucial. But I said to the players that they had to believe because even at 2-0 down you are not dead and buried and we proved that.”
Vale had taken the lead after just 13 minutes when Curtis Thompson headed in a free-kick beyond his own goalkeeper after Hayden Mullins was penalised for a foul on Chris Birchall.
The visitors then doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Gavin Tomlin converted from close range.
But Jimmy Spencer’s deftly headed Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s cross beyond Sam Johnson before converting another cross from the winger.
Notts then made it 3-2 after the break when Jack Grealish did brilliantly to engineer space for a cross which was emphatically met by Campbell-Ryce.
After Gavin Tomlin hit the post, CampbellRyce wrapped up the win with a clinical finish.
“I think the first half summed up our season really, we got ourselves into a 20 lead but then ended up being pegged back,” said Vale boss Micky Adams.
“But when we went 3-2 down, to be fair, they gave me a response and we had a very good ten-15 minute spell when we could have scored the equaliser.
“We created some very good opportunities and also hit the post, but their goalkeeper, you have to say, made some very good saves to keep them ahead especially from Tom Pope’s header.
“But at least the players kept showing the belief.”