Defender Gary Liddle was encouraged by Notts County’s much-improved performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Although defeated 1-0, the Meadow Lane audience applauded the Magpies players off the field after a passionate showing against the Sky Bet League 1 high-flyers.
The team had been disappointed with Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy loss to Oldham Athletic but made amends with a display that showed what new boss Shaun Derry is demanding from his players.
Liddle said: “Tuesday was the lowest point of my Notts County career and the manager said he wanted a reaction and I think he got that.
“I’m gutted for the lads, the manager and the fans, because we didn’t deserve that but we got undone by that sucker punch at the end.
“We played well and we don’t want happened on Tuesday night to happen again.
“We made a point and worked hard in training all week to put pressure on how Wolves would play.
“They played exactly how we knew they would, which is why we were able to implement our game as much as we did.
“We created a lot of chances in the first half and it was just unfortunate that we weren’t able to put one of those away.
“I know Manny Smith had a great chance but for an unbelievable block from their lad [Richard] Stearman, and if that had gone in it could have been a totally different game.
“It’s ifs and buts and unfortunately we’re on the end of another disappointing result.”
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