By Joe Jones
Notts County's promotion hopes suffered another blow as League Two strugglers Chesterfield ran out 3-1 winners in Sunday's encounter at the Proact Stadium.
The hosts took the lead on 16 minutes Andy Kellett's corner was touched on by Drew Talbot and Sid Nelson chested the ball past Magpies goalkeeper Adam Collin from point-blank range.
Elliott Hewitt then missed a sitter before the Spireites doubled their lead through a poor clearance that was rifled home by Zavon Hines.
Notts huffed and puffed and laboured throughout the early afternoon but they put themselves within a goal of getting something from the game thanks to Dan Jones's free kick.
Despite the County goal and nine minutes of stoppage time, there was to be no salvaging of a point as Chesterfield went on to score a penalty in the dying moments of the game.
How did the Notts contingent react to the result? Pride of Nottingham takes a closer look.
Kevin Nolan (official Notts site)
"We just have to take it on the chin. Chesterfield were better than us on the day. They worked harder and did the bits in and out of possession really well.
"They kept it a lot better than us and fair play to them they got their just rewards.
"What we have got to do is concentrate on us. They were the better team but we were way below our standards."
Kevin Nolan (Nottingham Post)
"We have had a fantastic season and the bigger picture is that we are still in a fantastic position.
"What we have to do now is make sure we go back to being ourselves as soon as possible - we have seven games to respond.
"Over 39 games so far this season these lads have shown why they deserve to be where they are in the table and I am hoping today is a blip.
"I am looking for a response right away and, if we get that, we will be okay."
John Thompson (BBC Radio Nottingham)
"There was never really a plan B. It's a frustrating game all around. This was a very bad 90 minutes.
"Today their two centre-halves dominated (against Stead and Ameobi), there was a lack of pace. Chesterfield were constantly running at the Notts defence. They (Notts) look a bit devoid of ideas out there today.
"There was no real leadership out there. There was nobody wanting the ball. The players didn't seem to know what was the right way to win the game.
"(Nolan) has got to address it and think about perhaps a change in formation."
The Black & White Army
Northants Pie: John Thompson summed our season up perfectly when he said Chesterfield are playing football and Notts are just hoofing aimless balls towards Ameobi & Stead... we got found out mid November and haven't changed it since, unfortunately.
Christopher Key: Abysmal. Long ball for almost 90 minutes. We didn't look like a top table team at any point. Didn't win first balls, couldn't defend. Psychologically, we couldn't hack it. Want to find a positive, but just can't.
Rosemary Sanders: Disappointing isn’t the word doesn’t bode well in view of forthcoming fixtures !! Not enough strengthening of the squad in January but the players have done their best Mr Hardy dig deep in your pocket . Come on you pies don’t lose it now.
Martin Bates: Not really surprised. This "holding, shielding, midfield line" just doesnt work. Sooner or later you need to put a tackle in & preferably before they get to the penalty area. Just because it worked at H vs Swansea, it hasnt worked since! I just cant understand how Husin, the best technical player at the club cant get in the team. He can keep a ball, play it & ask for it back. Noble & Hewitt just offer nothing offensively notwithstanding Hewitt has had a good season. 7 game season, the teams who go out & try to win will go up. Those who play safe will miss out. I'll leave it to others to work out which Notts fall under!
Colin Hodgson: Stop playing the same team week in week out. They are all looking knackered. At least we are in the mix and a lot better off than last season. So improving immensely just need to freshen it up in the final hurdle of the season. Kevin Nolan's black and white army!
Thomas George Polkey: No where near good enough. Why does Nolan seem very reluctant to put on forte?????? Having two slow strikers and heavily relying on the long ball will not give Notts much of a chance.
Tony D Beardsley: 2-1 down & into injury time & our goalkeeper has more possession than our goal scorers so says it all really!
Jason Chambers: We’ll be lucky to make the play offs if we carry on playing like that, never mind autos! That chance has gone now. Poor performance.
Jaychristina Kasraie: Embarrasing everytime on tv , makes them look like clowns, not on form today
Rob Freeman: Failing to invest properly in the January transfer window will ultimatley cost Notts promotion.
Luke James: Played league two football at a league two team Nolan looks like he is panicking and not trusting own his tactics play like that over Easter and we will he resigned to the play offs possibly not even that!
Steven Taberham: 5 points lost in 2 out of the last 3 games. Just not good enough. May just about stay in the play off places.
Dean Belfield: We got what we deserved nothing! To be fair to chesterfield they played us off the park. To many passengers we need to take a good look at ourselves and change our approach its not good enough!
Mark Nixon: There is no pace in the team what so ever the front 2 are like statues need to mix it up league 2 defenders hate pace and we still left them both on. Why not take Dicko off and put another forward on?? We were 2 down.
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