The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Ex-Dons keeper is Notts County hero
Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Archie Mair was the hero as Notts County beat Chesterfield in a Wembley penalty shootout to end a four-year absence from the English Football League.
Mair, on loan from Norwich and sent on in the final minute of extra-time for the spot-kick contest, denied Darren Oldaker and Jeff King with full-length saves as County won 4-3 on penalties after the game had been drawn 2-2 after 120 minutes.
Macaulay Langstaff, Ruben Rodrigues, Jodi Jones and Cedwyn Scott were successful from the spot for County, the latter achieving redemption having missed from 12 yards in the promotion showdown with Wrexham last month.
Andrew Dallas’ early penalty seemed set to signal more end-of-season misery for County before John Bostock equalised with just two minutes left on the clock.
Paul Cook’s Chesterfield quickly regained the lead in extra-time with Armando Dobra’s superb curling effort worthy of winning any cup final, but Rodrigues’ equaliser 12 minutes from time sent the game to penalties.
The decision to send on Mair as a late substitute proved a masterstroke as he produced two excellent saves.
It was promotion delight at last for County who were relegated from the EFL in 2019 and have contested the National League playoffs in every campaign since.
Luke Williams’ side had finished 23 points clear of Chesterfield at the end of a regular season in which they had pushed champions Wrexham all the way.
Mair, who is from Turriff, moved to Norwich City from Aberdeen in July 2019. The 22-year-old has represented Scotland at under-21, under-19 and under-17 level.
When asked if he expected to come off the bench for a shootout, Mair said: “I had an idea it might happen.
“I was ready. Tom Weal (the Notts County goalkeeping coach) had everything written out. I knew where to go for every pen. It was just amazing.
“It is an unbelievable feeling and I am a bit lost for words.
“This was what every single Notts County supporter deserved from this season. Tom had done a lot of homework on penalties and he said if we scored or saved one to make sure we celebrate.
“I might have got a bit carried away. It was unbelievable to see the joy on the faces of the fans.
“Everyone was going mental inside the dressing room after the game and I had to take a step back, sit down and try to take it all in. Everyone was overjoyed. The team has been unbelievable all season.
“I have only been here since January but I have seen from the first minute how hard everyone has worked and how good the fans have been.
“This club has to be in the Football League and thankfully we are there.”
Mair was also thankful for the support he received from fellow goalkeeper Sam Slocombe, the man he replaced in the 120th minute.
He said: “He has been so good. He is a top pro and he has been unbelievable with me. He is someone who is great to learn from.
“When I was coming on he said ‘This is your moment – go and do it’.
“I knew he was behind me. He deserves this just as much if not more than anyone.
“I am delighted for him.”