Notts County 1-1 Sutton United (National League) 07.12.19

Notts County are now five games without a win after being held 1-1 at home to Sutton United.

A good start for Notts saw Shields test Tsanev in the Sutton goal before Brindley volleyed wide and after Rose scuffed another chance Wes Thomas netted the opener on 15 after Boldewijn crossed low for the striker to stab home his ninth of the campaign.

Sutton came back at Notts who held strong defensively with Slocombe saving a Beautyman effort from range and on the edge of half time Ajiboye blazed over Sutton’s best chance before Slocombe was again called to action to save from Reid.

In the second half McCrory curled wide before a dangerous cross by Boldewijn was pushed away from danger by Tsanev and as Notts pushed for a second Rawlinson headed wide from substitute Booty’s corner.

The early chances proving pivotal as in failing to secure a second it was a hammer blow instead as Beautyman levelled from the angle with fourteen minutes left.

It could have been worse for the Magpies when Eastmond shot wide but as the home side pushed for a first home league win since the 12^th November it was Doyle who went closest to ending the recent drought volleying straight at the keeper a tame effort which sums up Notts County’s form of late.

Manager Neal Ardley suggested “I saw an anxious team, we turned into 11 individuals because of it and it looked like people were passing the buck.”

“It’s difficult when you see the players clamming up and too many went missing as the game wore on.”

“They didn’t want the ball and weren’t brave enough, so we got progressively worse as the match continued.”

Notts County: Slocombe, Turner, Rawlinson, Brindley, McCrory, Rose, Doyle, Shields (Booty 73), Boldewijn, Thomas (Dennis 79), Wootton.

Sutton United: Tzanev, John, Bardon, Eastmond (Milsom 85), Bugiel (Dundas 89), Goodlife, Beautyman, Ajiboye, Wright, Wyatt, Reid (Randall-Hurran 58).

Venue: Meadow Lane (5,652)

*Main image @Official_NCFC action from today’s draw at Meadow Lane.