Notts Reserves 1-1 Scunthorpe Development
Notts County Reserves drew 1-1 at home to their Final Third Development league rivals Scunthorpe United. The Iron had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute, when Jack Dyche's effort was cleared off the line after good work down the left from Dominic Vose and Kyle Wootton.
A minute later, a corner from the right for Scunthorpe caused danger in the Magpies box. The ball bobbled and deflected into Wootton's path but he headed over the crossbar.
In the ninth minute, Notts had their first attempt at goal, as Genaro Snijders hit one from distance it went well wide.
On 11 minutes, Scunthorpe were next to attack and, after the ball bounced around the area, Dyche fired over the bar with a volley.
Four minutes later, there was a big chance for County. After a corner from the right, Kyle De Silva let the ball drop to his right foot before drilling wide.
In the 20th minute, there was more good attacking play from Scunthorpe as Dyche's throughball found Wootton, whose left-footed shot was saved well by the ever dependable Roy Carroll. Youngster Jordan Aghatsie headed wide from a left wing corner in the 27th minute.
The 33rd minute saw a Scunthorpe chance as Scott Laird and Wootton linked up on the left before the former crossed into the centre for Jack King, whose header was saved.
On 38 minutes, Genaro Snijders drew a superb stop from home goalkeeper Joe Parker with a free-kick from 25-yards which was curling into the right corner, but he tipped over. Two minutes later, Parker was called into action again. Lartey Sarpong was played into space for County, but his good strike was saved by the home goalkeeper.
Notts took the lead just before half time as Montel Gibson struck home from close range in a touch of class, with the final chance of the opening half after receiving a cross from the right.
There was a substitution at half-time for the hosts, with Stephen Dawson being replaced by Noel Burdett. He made a near instant impact too, setting up his side's equalising goal. A through ball Wootton, whose first touch saw him beat his man before firing past Carroll.
County looked to respond straight away, as Snijders lurked with the ball on the edge of the area before drilling a shot at goal, which Parker tipped around the post.
Amevor was next to come close for the Magpies on 68 minutes, driving forward before firing a strike which went narrowly wide of Parker's left-hand post. Just a minute later, Parker was forced into action action as Gibson beat his man before firing hard and low, but the United shot-stopper tipped around his right-hand post.
Parker was soon called into action again - getting down well to save De Silva's effort after he turned and struck goalwards from 12-yards.
There was one more Scunthope alteration in the 82nd minute when Fortunate Sithole replaced Jack Dyche, and the substitute came close when his late effort was deflected out for a corner.
The game ended all square. Notts now head to Chesterfield in a crucial game in the Final Third Development League, both teams needing to win to have a shot at the title.