A SHARE OF SETS NOTTS
NOTTS head coach Ian Burchnall admitted he wouldn’t swap his side’s play off run in with any of his rivals – and he won’t get too many harder tests than Chesterfield provided in this feisty East Midlands derby of promotion hopefuls.
Paul Cook’s men thoroughly deserved their point after taking the lead through fullback Alex Whittle’s 13th minute snap shot and, had either of two debatable penalty decisions gone their way, they would have probhalf ably returned with all three.
Kyle Wootton’s spot-kick in the last knockings of the first half when Whittle challenged Ruben Rodrigues just inside the box was still dividing opinion come the final whistle.
But there was a hint in Burchnall’s after-match comments that he wouldn’t have complained had Chesterfield been awarded a second half penalty when Tom Whelan tumbled in the box.
Both sides had their second to Derbyshire chances in front of another five-figure Meadow Lane crowd.
Wootton clipped the bar with a close range header when it seemed easier to score whilst former Notts winger Calvin Miller struck the base of the post for Chesterfield and the dangerous Akwasi Asante failed to get good contact on a cross from the excellent Saidou Khan.
“Maybe,” was Burchnall’s comment on whether a draw was deserved. “I thought we were the better team in the second half and I was pleased with large parts of our performance against a very good side.”
Burchnall also expressed pleasure with a seven point return from three games in a week – all against promotion rivals.
But Cook was equally satisfied that Chesterfield maintained the six-point gap over their rivals, although they did slip to third, a full 12 points behind leaders Stockport County.
“Notts County are one of the best teams in this league but we knew we could hurt them in the transition of play,” Cook said.
“They had one or two big chances and we had one or two.
“So perhaps we cancelled each other out.”
Chesterfield’s opening goal was well worked but highlighted County’s soft defending.
Asante clipped the ball forward to Whelan and he had time and space to feed the unmarked Whittle who lashed into the roof of the net from 14 yards.
That goal clearly rattled
Notts and it took a fairly fortunate break for the home side to level. Whittle’s challenge was, at best, reckless and Wootton calmly took full advantage from the spot.
Notts had most of the play thereafter but the Spireites were at least as dangerous.
Miller caused problems for his old club and the visitors held firm without Scott Leach being severely tested.
A point apiece keeps both sides handily placed with Burchnall hopeful that, having played all the teams around them, Notts can now cash in and close the gap on Chesterfield and the top three.
Saidou Khan (Chesterfield) 10,334
Lewis Smith