Jake Sheridan - On Target

After two successive losses in the build-up to this afternoon's game the Magpies put in a much brighter performance than those at Torquay and Peterborough, and were only undone by Robbie Foy's goal with only seconds left on the clock after Jake Sheridan's late header looked to have handed Notts the points.

Injury-hit Notts went into the game with David Pipe passed fit after a late fitness test, but Brian O'Callaghan, Steve Scoffham and Adam Tann were left behind in Nottingham with Rob Ullathorne returning to the side and Liam Needham pushing forward to midfield.

The home side put on plenty of early pressure in the opening stages, with the first real incident worth noting was a fine finish from Jon Walters, but Referee Mr Swarbrick ruled out the goal for a nudge on Baudet.

The lively McEvilly in attack caused the Magpies plenty of problems up front, and it wasn't for Kevin Pilkington he would have had the home-side ahead midway through the half but from a few yards Pilkington reacted superbly to tip the ball away.

In all fairness, Notts attacks were few and far between as they soaked up a lot of pressure, with Mark DeBolla having the only noteworthy chance when he used his pace to escape the defence but Ingham saved his effort well from a narrow angle.

Baudet, Friars, and Wilson soaked up a lot of pressure with solid performances, giving the Magpies a good base to build on. Rob Ullathorne also cleared a dipping header from a corner off the line, while Wilson also made a timely clearance just before the break which saw his diving header clear the danger with McEvilly unmarked behind him.

After going in goalless at the break Jake Sheridan was brought on in place of Glynn Hurst in a straight swap in attack, with the wide-man pulling the defence more with his pace and ability, and he certainly did that with an excellent second-half showing. He fired an effort wide after some good individual work moments after coming off the bench.

Wrexham again had the better of the half in terms of use of the ball, but Gudjon Thordarson's men looked much brighter with David Pipe and Rob Ullathorne getting forward well on occasions from wing-back.

Then, after Ingham had cleared from the feet of Andy White after a neat ball forward by Pipe, Notts took the lead. McMahon's throw into the area was flicked on by a Wrexham defender and from a few yards out Sheridan rose to send a looping header of Ingham for his first goal since moving from non-league Dunkirk in the summer.

It was time for Notts to hold on, and they did until three minutes into stoppage time. McEvilly sent Robbie Foy, only off the bench moments before, clear through on goal past the Notts defence and calmly slotted home to send the home fans wild and those in the away end shell-shocked, after such a hard-working performance.

Wrexham had a corner moments later, but after clearing their lines to launch a final attack on the home side the final whistle ended the game, leaving the Magpies with only a point when it could, and probably should have been all three.

There were plenty of positives to take in a much more confident Magpies display. The players got stuck in and gave everything for the win, just a glance at the players after Wrexham levelled told its own story. Julien Baudet and Rob Ullathorne were distraught looking on, both head in hands, whilst the body language of the rest was just utter disbelief.

Thordarson slammed a bottle to the floor in frustration, having thought his side had responded to those defeats with a win. It is important that Foy's goal doesn't dent confidence too much; only two weeks ago a Jo Kuffour goal for Torquay to level scores at 2-2 at Meadow Lane was followed by two straight losses.

Notts have enough in their locker to get back on track next weekend at home to Stockport, and a similar performance in terms of graft, determination and resoluteness will certainly give them a good chance. Hard work was the call yesterday, and the Magpies certainly did what was asked of them.

A full week now to focus on Stockport will be a benefit to Thordarson and his squad, after the busy few weeks which have passed.

Wrexham: Ingham, Bayliss, D.Williams, Lawrence (M.Williams 44), Roche, Crowell (Foy 85), Ferguson, Mark Jones, Smith (Bennett 72), McEvilly, Walters.
Subs Not Used: Michael Jones, Warhurst.
Booked: None
Sent Off: None

Notts County: Pilkington, Baudet, Wilson, Friars, Pipe, McMahon, Edwards, Needham, Ullathorne, Hurst (Sheridan 45), DeBolla (White 64).
Subs: Palmer, Long, Marshall.
Booked: None
Sent Off: None

Referee: Mr N Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Attendance: 4,726 (197 Away)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Kelvin Wilson