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Joe Jones
Head to head
Notts County and Coventry have met just 39 times in the last 98 years.
The first encounter took place on the 6th November 1920, the match at Meadow Lane ending in a 1-1 draw.
The last one, meanwhile, was at the start of the 2017-18 season, and it proved a rude awakening for the Magpies as they fell to a 3-0 loss at the Ricoh Arena.
There have plenty of high-scoring games between the two, with several 5-1s, 3-0s and 4-2s over the years.
Notts County have the upper hand in the head-to-heads – 19 victories over the Sky Blues, 12 defeats and 8 draws.
The Magpies are unbeaten in their last seven home league matches against Coventry.
Coventry's last away league win at Meadow Lane was in August 1963, when they won 3-0.
Stats
Notts County are winless in their last four League Two matches (D2 L2), failing to score in each of their previous two games - they last went longer without a league goal back in November 2016 (a run of four).
Coventry lost 6-2 to Yeovil last time out; prior to this game the Sky Blues hadn't conceded more than two goals in a League Two game this season, whilst the six goals conceded were more than they had let in in their previous seven league matches,
Maxime Biamou has scored each of Coventry's last three League Two goals, including a brace last time out in their 2-6 defeat against Yeovil Town.
History
The club was founded in 1883 from employees of the cycle (and later car) manufacturer Singer Motors and changed its name from Singers FC to Coventry City FC in 1898.
In 1891-92, the club turned professional and won three separate cups that season (The Birmingham Cup, The Wednesbury Cup and The Walsall Cup).
Local businessman David Cooke (later to become chairman) produced a 'Three Cups Tobacco' to celebrate the event.
In 1898, as well as renaming the club, there was a move to a site of Highfield Road in the Hillfields district of the city, the stadium they called home for the next 106 years.
The club became a registered Limited Company in 1907 recording a capital of £2,000 in 5-shilling shares.
Coventry City were originally known as 'the Bantams' (a nickname shared with Bradford City) before adopting their sky blue identity in the early 1960s.
Coventry were first called the Bantams in December 1908 after the local newspaper noted that they were one of the few clubs who did not have a nickname.
Being the lightweights of the Southern League, the Bantams was suggested and stuck with the press and supporters.
They remained as the 'Bantams' until the summer of 1962 when Jimmy Hill re-christened them the 'Sky Blues' and the club switched to an all sky blue kit.
In 2001, Coventry were relegated from the Premier League after 34 years in the first tier. At the time, only Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal could boast longer tenures in the top flight.
A year later, they were relegated to the third tier in English Football for the first time in 48 years, and now, they have slipped down into the bottom tier, compounding a Portsmouth-like fall from grace.
Coventry’s current stadium, the 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena, was opened in August 2005.
Following a rent dispute with the ground's owners the club opted to play their home games at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium starting in the 2013–14 season, a move which didn’t prove popular with Sky Blues fans.
On 21 August 2014, it was announced that an agreement had been reached allowing the club to return to the Ricoh Arena for the next two years with the option of another two years.
It has been reported that there will be a relocation to another site within the city, as the tenancy with the Ricoh Arena expires in August 2018.
The last update on this has seen mediation talks take place between the Sky Blues, rugby club Wasps and Coventry City Council, but as of yet there has been no resolution.
The club’s proudest moment was undoubtedly the 1987 FA Cup final at Wembley, which was won by the Sky Blues thanks to an enthralling 3-2 win after two hours of football.
Following Tottenham Hotspur player Gary Mabbutt’s own goal in extra time, which set Coventry on the way to their win, a fanzine was created called GMK – Gary Mabbutt’s Knee.
Team News
Notts County manager Kevin Nolan is expected to make changes against Coventry.
Seven changes were made at Accrington Stanley on Monday given the quick turnaround in Easter games, as he Carl Dickinson, Matty Virtue, Liam Walker, Noor Husin, Rob Milsom, Ben Hall and Jonathan Forte, who started as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Rhe likes of Shaun Brisley, Dan Jones, Elliott Hewitt, Terry Hawkridge, Liam Noble, Shola Ameobi and Jon Stead will all be vying for recalls, and Jorge Grant is also a starting option after starting the last two matches on bench.
Coventry have problems in goal as they prepare for the trip to Meadow Lane.
Goalkeepers Lee Burge and Liam O'Brien, who each conceded three goals on Monday as the Sky Blues were beaten 6-2 at home by Yeovil, are both nursing injuries and will be assessed.
Corey Addai, who has been on loan at non-league Dulwich Hamlet, is on stand-by to play.
Midfielder Carl Baker is also being monitored as he seeks to shake off an illness, while Maxime Biamou staked his claim for a starting place with both of Coventry's goals against Yeovil following his introduction from the bench.
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Joe Jones
Notts County captain Michael O’Connor has expressed his delight at closing the chapter on the hardest year of his career in returning from a long-term injury.
The midfielder had been out for almost a year after damaging his ligaments and meniscus in the Magpies' 3-1 loss to Portsmouth last April.
Following surgery and months of rehabilitation, O'Connor made his long-awaited comeback in Easter Monday’s clash at Accrington, where he played the last 13 minutes of the 1-0 defeat.
The 31-year-old says the recovery period has been tough, but is hoping he can now play a part in the last few games of the season.
“The longest period of time I have been out for before I got this injury was 13 weeks after having a groin operation when I was at Port Vale,” O’Connor told the Nottingham Post.
“It’s been hard, probably the hardest year of my career having to sit on the sidelines and watch the boys do so well.
“It’s obviously brilliant that they have had that success but I want to be a part of it. There are still seven games left so hopefully I can play some part.
“I’ve been getting closer to fitness for the last few weeks and I’ve played in three reserve games too so I’m available and raring to go.”
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Joe Jones
Lewis Alessandra has claimed that nobody within the Notts County camp has given up on the prospect of automatic promotion from League Two.
The Magpies sit seven points adrift of the top three with five games remaining in the season and have been in bad form over the last few weeks, meaning many fans have all but settled for the playoffs at best.
However, Alessandra is adamant that, with 15 points left to play for and the tightness and inconsistency among even the top teams of the division, anything can happen.
"We have five big games left and we're raring to go. If we win a couple hopefully the picture will change in our favour," he told the official Notts website.
"This league is mad, everyone can beat everyone. Three of our last five games are at home, where we are strong, so not one of us thinks it's over.
"We were disappointed not to win at home over Easter and we knew it was going to be difficult at Accrington but it was still disappointing to lose on the day because we had some good chances.
"Coventry will come here looking for a reaction after losing at home on Monday but this is our home and we are strong here."
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss Kevin Nolan says he has not heard back yet from the FA or EFL about whether he will face a touchline ban for being sent to the stands against Wycombe Wanderers.
The Magpies boss was dismissed by referee Ben Toner during the goalless draw on Good Friday at Meadow Lane after protesting a decision not to award Shola Ameobi a penalty in the first half.
If one does come his way, however, Nolan says he will dispute it and is confident of having it overturned.
“I haven’t heard from them as yet,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“But I don’t expect to be. If I do I will be appealing it because I think I have good grounds for it to be turned over once they hear my side.
“I know I was in the right and the decisions I was asking for, the referee got wrong. There was no clarity from the fourth official, which is what he is supposed to be there for.
“If you had watched me on Monday (against Accrington), there was no reaction to anything because the fourth official managed the bench as well as being in constant contact with the referee throughout.
“I thought they were magnificent and I told them that after the game.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has warned that Coventry City will be desperate to bounce back from their 6-2 home loss to Yeovil Town when they come to Meadow Lane on Saturday.
The Magpies, who sit fifth in the League Two table, will be taking on a side just two places and two points behind them.
In addition, the Sky Blues - who beat Notts 3-0 in the season opener at the Ricoh Arena - boast the best defensive record in the division with 38 goals conceded in 40 matches.
"You have to expect a reaction from them after the result they had on Monday," Nolan told the official Notts site.
"Mark Robins is a good manager and a lovely fella. He and his players will make sure they get a response because they will be hurting.
"But I want a reaction from my players after losing at Accrington on Monday and not winning our last home game.
"Coventry have been fantastic away from home and still have one of the best defensive records in the league so I expect it to be a tight game.
"We are going to need people to be confident, consistent and patient because our opportunities may not come until the last 10 minutes."
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Joe Jones
What's been happening in League Two over the last week?
Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days.
- Unseasonal weather played havoc with Easter Monday's fixture list with several football matches, including the League Two games of Chesterfield against Newport County and Morecambe against Cambridge United.
- Luton Town midfielder Luke Berry was carried off on a stretcher two minutes into Friday's 2-1 loss away to Colchester United, the Hatters later confirming that the player dislocated his left ankle and fractured his fibula.
- The EFL has asked Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt to explain a bonus scheme where he buys the players burgers if they win as the arrangement is not written into the players' contracts, as per the EFL regulations.
- Accrington goalkeeper Aaron Chapman went to hospital as a precaution after being involved in a car crash before Monday's win over Notts County.
- Accrington striker Billy Kee, Cheltenham forward Mohamed Eisa and Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa will contest the League Two Player of the Season award.
- The League Two Team of the Season was also named, featuring the following players: Lee Burge (Coventry), Dan Potts (Luton), Alan Sheehan (Luton), Jordan Willis (Coventry), Jack Stacey (Luton), Michael Bostwick (Lincoln), Sean McConville (Accrington), Luke Berry (Luton), Adebayo Akinfenwa (Wycombe), Danny Hylton (Luton), and Billy Kee (Accrington).
- In addition, Accrington boss John Coleman was named League Two Manager of the Year.
- The FA released its list of how much money clubs paid in agent fees over the last 12 months -  Coventry City were top of League Two (£113,620), Mansfield Town second (£85,940), Chesterfield third (£80,477) and then Notts County on £76,426.
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Joe Jones
Jorge Grant has been named in FourFourTwo magazine's top 50 EFL players of the season.
The 23-year-old, on loan at Notts County from Nottingham Forest, has scored 18 goals and claimed eight assists in 50 games in all competition this term.
Although Grant's form has tailed off since the turn of the year, with just two goals in 2018, his blistering form in the first half of the campaign has nonetheless seen him claim a place in FFT's rankings.
"This Forest youngster is loving life on loan from across the Trent, netting 16 goals from a wide-left position in the opening half of the season," the outlet wrote.
“With fine close control, he temps full-backs into making some naive challenges and also boasts a nice stash of reverse passes.
However, Grant's supreme match-winning attribute is his knack of sneaking in at the back stick to tuck away those loose balls."
Here is the list in full:
50) Danny Rose - Mansfield
49) Charlie Wyke - Bradford
48) Jarrod Bowen - Hull
47) Liam Moore - Reading
46) Matt Taylor - Swindon
45) James Collins - Luton
44) Luke Freeman - QPR
43) Tom Broadbent - Bristol Rovers
42) Brett Pitman - Portsmouth
41) Gary Hooper - Sheffield Wednesday
40) Jorge Grant - Notts County
39) Ben Pearson - Preston
38) Mo Eisa - Cheltenham
37) Bartosz Bialkowski - Ipswich
36) Junior Hoilett - Cardiff
35) Danny Hylton - Luton
34) George Saville - Millwall
33) Ezri Konsa - Charlton
32) Jon Nolan - Shrewsbury
31) Erhun Otzumer - Walsall
30) Billy Sharp - Sheffield United
29) Adama Traore - Middlesbrough
28) Kieran Dowell - Nottingham Forest
27) Graham Carey - Plymouth
26) Josh Morris - Scunthorpe
25) Bayo Akinfenwa - Wycombe
24) Sam Johnstone - Villa
23) Joe Bryan - Bristol City
22) Billy Kee - Accrington
21) Charlie Mulgrew - Blackburn
20) Samuel Saiz - Leeds
19) Jack Marriott - Peterborough
18) Bradley Dack - Blackburn
17) Ollie Watkins - Brentford
16) Richard Keogh - Derby
15) Barry Douglas - Wolves
14) Nick Powell - Wigan
13) John Terry - Villa
12) Bobby Reid - Bristol City
11) Jack Grealish - Villa
10) Robert Snodgrass - Villa
9) Ivan Cavaleiro - Wolves
8) Sean Morrison - Cardiff
7) Aden Flint - Bristol City
6) James Maddison - Norwich
5) Tom Cairney - Fulham
4) Matej Vydra - Derby
3) Ruben Neves - Wolves
2) Diogo Jota - Wolves
1) Ryan Sessegnon - Fulham
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has expressed his delight in being able to welcome Michael O’Connor back to action.
The midfielder played the last 13 minutes of Easter Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley when he came off the bench to replace Noor Husin.
O’Connor was playing a first-team Notts game for the first time since last April when he suffered a serious knee injury in a 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth.
“I think I’ve spoken a few times about Occy and how amazing he has been with the staff,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“Credit to Tom Hallas the physio and his team who have worked tirelessly with Michael.
“With the way Occy has gone about his rehab it is an absolute testament to the lad and our medical staff that he was able to have 15 minutes.
“I am delighted for him and it has given me another selection headache. But it’s a massive bonus to have your captain back.
“I was happy with him and you can see he brings that character and he got involved in a little few bits and bobs.
“But it’s going to take him time and that’s why we wanted him to play those minutes because it’s another tick in the box.
“Hopefully going into the next three or four weeks we will see a lot more of him. He will feature a lot more and regularly.”
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Joe Jones
I know I'm not the only Notts County fan who feels deflated following the last couple of months at Meadow Lane, seeing a side that, following full time in the New Year's Day win over Port Vale, was second in League Two - four points behind then leaders Luton Town and seven clear of fourth - now in fifth, seven adrift of the top three and just four above eighth.
We've seen Notts put in superb performances this season and also grind out results, and it was superb to see - and obviously expectations rose as the prospect of automatic promotion, or perhaps the title, was a real possibility, and so having such hopes dashed is painful.
However, this is where perspective and hindsight come into play. The bulk of the team this season is the same as that of last season - in 2016-17 Notts were punching below their weight for the first half, before Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan arrived and lifted each of the players to punch above their weight, and indeed safety was ensured before the final day.
This time round, the players got off to a flying start in the league (aside from the Coventry opener) and soon enough we were topping the table, and as the weeks went on, the Magpies continued to impress - still very much punching above their weight.
But an EFL campaign is very much a marathon, and as it turned out, Notts might have led the pack early on, but the rigours of the 46-game season, plus all the other cup competitions, will take their toll on the players physically and mentally.
From a transfer perspective, January didn't go to plan - losing Ryan Yates was a huge blow and I don't feel we've fully recovered from it; Mason Bennett was good but injury prone and unfortunately he got sidelined in his first full game; Matty Virtue has been sub-par, while Liam Noble and Noor Husin have been decent but not superb - and certainly not . I think only Ben Hall has been a legitimately great signing.
Alongside losing Yates, the Bennett loan was also a massive blow, given how Shola Ameobi and Jon Stead could now not get their rest, and indeed they have completely run out of steam.
But calling for Kevin Nolan to be sacked, as some people have been doing, is very much a joke, except for the fact they seem to be serious.
Yes, Notts have all but fluffed automatic promotion; yes, Notts are in poor form and face a battle just to stay in the playoffs; yes, I'm not especially confident that they could succeed if they do finish in the playoffs.
But would I have taken worrying in the top seven of the table rather than the bottom two? Absolutely. Do I think Nolan and Hardy will be wiser come the end of the season, whether we get promoted or not? Yes. And do I think both of them, plus the better players in the squad, would remain at ML and a summer of good recruitment could see Notts build on and have a team that could genuinely fight for promotion next season? Yes, I do.
Pep Guardiola didn't meet expectations last season at Manchester City, finishing without a trophy. Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't much cop in his first few seasons at Manchester United. But they were afforded time, in spite of some braying fans calling for them to be sacked, and they went on to greatness.
Nolan is a young manager and has a lot to learn - same as Hardy in terms of owning a football club. And it's not like we're fighting for our EFL life, like we were last season - worst comes to worst, we spend next season in League Two, we can add a few more pieces to the jigsaw, and we go again.
All I know is, anyone calling for Nolan to be sacked is outright deluded - remember what happened with Keith Curle a few seasons ago? Gunning for promotion into the Championship, yet even that didn't seem good enough for some, and now what most of us wouldn't give to be there now. So be careful what you wish for, because as disappointing as things may seem now, they could be much, much worse.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County would be “in a much better place” had Mason Bennett’s loan move from Derby County not been thwarted by injury.
The striker joined the Magpies on the last day of the January transfer window but was forced to return to Pride Park after rupturing his hamstring on his first start for the club against Barnet.
“You only have to look at the impact Mason had when he came on against Crewe, got his goal and hit the bar,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“He gave us something different to what we didn’t have. He is such a quality player and for his injury to happen in his first full start for us was a devastating blow.
“If we had him, we would have been in a lot better place because of the quality I would have had at my disposal.
“He gave us that lightning pace, and he was clever with it. He could carry the ball too and he was our main target in January.
“We had to wait until the final hour to sign him, then a week later he is going back to Derby.
“It was incredibly frustrating but that’s gone now. But I still feel we have a good enough squad to achieve what we want. What we’ve got to do is prove it.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County are now seven points adrift of League Two's automatic promotion places as they were beaten 1-0 at Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday.
Mark Hughes's early goal was enough to settle the game between the sides at the Wham Stadium as the Magpies slipped to fifth in the table.
Notts wasted three gilt-edged opportunities to equalise with Jonathan Forte hitting the bar, while Matty Virtue and substitute Jorge Grant both shot wide when unmarked.
With Stanley winning, and Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers also recording victories, Kevin Nolan's side face a mountain to get back into the top three, and surely the target must now be remaining in the playoffs.
How did the Notts contingent and fans react to the loss? Here is a round-up of some of the post-match reaction.
Kevin Nolan
"We didn't put them under enough pressure. We had very good possession but we didn't put it in the right areas.
"We had two glorious opportunities and didn't put either in the back of the net. When you do that, it changes the game.
"I thought we more than matched them in a few areas and Adam Collin made some good saves, which is the difference.
"Our goalkeeper has had to make saves whereas we have had opportunities to get shots in and we haven't made the goalkeeper work, which is the most disappointing part of it."
The Black & White Army
Mark Connors: Shut up moaning KN is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t - if he had named an unchanged side the moaners would have slated him - at the end of the day we are a middle table side who KN has motivated to do better,we have run out of steam and need the fans to try to get us in the playoffs by getting behind the lads not keep moaning and criticising
Kevin Hopcroft: Hang on we are away at top of the league. This is a team that is beating everyone. I would have taken a draw. Admitted we need a quick striker. But lets remember where we have been the last few seasons. This is progress just need to buy in a few positions. I can not stand the haters coming out when we lose. The re build was mid table this season and push for promotion next season. We have been over achieving. In Hardy and Nolan we trust. COYP
Matt Craig: Same old **** nolans tactically inept 1 shot on target all game nolan out
Neale Tristram What on earth happened over Christmas?? We've gone back to playing like we did before Nolan! Play offs looking dodgy with 2 points from 12 which isn't going to keep us in the top 7! Big clear out in the summer.
Craig Spencer: just got back and we lost to the better side.end of. Coventry city 3 points at the lane plz#and to all the nolan moaners YOU KNOW IF HE f@@ks off somewhere else i hope your happy.its a crucial stage of the season UNITY IS NEEDED NOTTS FANS ;CMON UNITE AND LETS GET THE LADS OVER THE FINISH LINE.YOU PIES #BIG SHOUT TO NOTTS CO SUPPORTERS CLUB 1947 FOR A GREAT DAY OUT!!
Andy Whibberley: Can't believe people are calling for Nolan to go. The endless managerial merrygoround at Notts was a disaster on the pitch and made the club a joke. Coleman has been at Accrington a total of around 15 years. Or about 25 managers in Notts terms. Look where consistency gets you. Sheridan is doing well again. Shall we get him back??
Adrian Wheatley: Just can not put the ball in the net if the rumours are right sign up Ranger till the end of the season or we won’t even make the play offs
Will Hart: At the beginning of the season I was hoping for a top 10 position based on the fact this season was all about stability. Therefore a bonus if we make the playoffs.
Darren Handley: Blah blah blah for the people that have a bad opinion about the bad tactics I wouldn’t waste your breath as the nodding dogs who was nodding away with the trews will always call you a non Notts supporter these noddies would still be happy if we was in non league.it was in trew we trust now it’s in hardy we trust another business man with no football brain but hey wait untill we get new hotels we can all be buzzing about that 😡😡😡😡
Luke James: Well played Nolan! what a half hearted attempt at a vital game in the season. We will be lucky to get play offs on this form.
Spencer Burrows: we've been poor for some time now, we're not even good enough for the play offs.
Nigel Trueman: No surprise tbf. playing mid table results wise. fully expect to finish outside the playoff places and sorry to say it but with a rebuild required next season a mid-table finish
David Nicholls: We've **** it now.... playoffs at best... 2 points from 12 isn't it.... that's not the performance of winners....
Martyn Malone: Was never going to win there even with 7 changes bye bye Automatic might just make playoffs at this rate
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ARLukomski
Notts County are now seven points adrift of League Two's automatic promotion places as they were beaten 1-0 at Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday.
Mark Hughes's goal was enough to settle the game between the sides at the Wham Stadium as the Magpies slipped to fifth in the table.
Notts wasted three glorious opportunities to equalise with Jonathan Forte hitting the bar, while Matty Virtue and substitute Jorge Grant both shot wide when unmarked.
With Stanley winning, and Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers also recording victories, Kevin Nolan's side face a mountain to get back into the top three, and surely the target must now be remaining in the playoffs.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski recorded his matchday experience in Lancashire and shared his thoughts before, during and after the match.
Follow ARLukomski on his YouTube channel by clicking here.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has refused to concede defeat in the chase for automatic promotion from League Two despite Notts County's latest bad result.
The Magpies are now seven points behind third-placed Wycombe Wanderers following their 1-0 loss at tabletopping Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday.
Mark Hughes's goal settled the contest in Lancashire where Notts hit the bar through Jonathan Forte, while Matty Virtue and Jorge Grant also squandered good opportunities.
“We’ve got 15 points to play for and if we get all 15 then who knows what can happen?” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“You can never stop believing but what we’ve got to do is keep doing what we have been doing all season and wait for the next one to come along.
“On Saturday that seven point gap could become a four-point gap and then the week after it could be one if we do our business.
“All we have got to do is get back to what we were earlier in the season. But I thought there were lots of positives to come from the game. I was just disappointed that we didn’t test their keeper enough.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County's automatic promotion hopes have been left in tatters after succumbing to a 1-0 loss away at Accrington Stanley.
Magpies boss Kevin Nolan made seven changes to his starting XI given the quick turnaround of games, with the last League Two fixture - the home draw with Wycombe Wanderers - taking place three days earlier.
Notts began brightly as Carl Dickinson rifled an effort wide and Liam Walker forced a save from goalkeeper Jonny Maxted in the early exchanges.
Sean McConville had the hosts' first sighting of goal, his effort deflecting just wide for a corner, and from the ensuing set piece they would take the lead.
The visitors twice failed to clear their lines before Seamus Conneely found defender Mark Hughes unmarked at the back post, the ensuing finish buried into the far corner beyond Adam Collin.
Notts continued to boast a lot of possession despite the early setback and, on 21 minutes, Jonathan Forte rattled the bar with a bullet header from close range.
Stanley, however, were the more dangerous side, with Collin keeping out efforts from Kayden Jackson and Billy Kee.
The second half brought about little change at first as a Conneely effort was fumbled by Collin with Jackson unable to convert the follow-up, while Jordan Clark fired wide in a good position.
Matty Virtue should have levelled for County on the hour as Rob Milsom's delivery found him unmarked six yards out but the Liverpool loanee somehow his header wide.
Jackson came close to doubling Stanley's tally but was denied by Collin while Jorge Grant fired wide for County in a decent position with 10 minutes to go.
Nevertheless, John Coleman's side succeeded in extending their winning record come the final whistle, while for Notts, the focus now surely changes to remaining in the playoffs.
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Joe Jones
Head to head
Notts County have played the current incarnation of Accrington Stanley just 16 times in their history, with the record standing at 6 Notts wins, 5 defeats, and 5 draws.
The first fixtures against the "new Stanley" were in August and December 1958, when both sides played in Division Three. The Magpies drew 1-1 in the first match, before losing 3-0 in the second.
A hiatus of 48 years followed before the teams met again in the fourth tier, now League Two, on 9 September 2006. The result was a 3-2 win to Notts.
Our recent record against Stanley is poor - 4 defeats and 3 draws in the last 7, and no win over them in the league since 2010.
Stats
Stanley have won each of their last eight home league games, the longest run in League Two this season.
John Coleman's have also won their last five league games outright to extend their run in the league to one defeat in their past 15 outings.
History
The original town's team, Accrington, were amongst the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888, before resigning from the league after just five years.
A team called Stanley Villa already existed at the time, named as such because they were based at the Stanley Arms on Stanley Street in Accrington.
With the demise of Accrington, Stanley Villa took the town name to become Accrington Stanley.
The club re-formed after World War I and entered the League in 1921 with the formation of the old Third Division North, along with the other top northern non-League clubs.
This original incarnation was dissolved in 1966, before re-emerging two years later. In 2005–06, Stanley won the Football Conference and were promoted to League Two.
Ironically, Oxford United, the team they switched places with, was the team that had been elected to replace the former Accrington Stanley as members of the Football League in 1962 when they were struggling with debt.
Accrington Stanley is perhaps most well known for being mentioned pejoratively by two young boys talking about their professional football prospects in a late 1980s advert by the Milk Marketing Board.
Famous people from Accrington include Vicky Entwhistle and Julie Hesmondhalgh from Coronation Street, Yes singer Jon Anderson, cricketer Mike Atherton, Diana Vickers from The X Factor, and Mystic Meg.
Team news
The League Two leaders will check on Janoi Donacien ahead of the game against Notts, as he was struggling with illness.
Ben Richards-Everton came in for the first change to Accrington's starting XI in five games and contributed to a fifth straight win.
Notts boss Kevin Nolan made two changes to the side on Friday - Lewis Alessandra and Dan Jones replacing Carl Dickinson and Jorge Grant - and promised further alterations on Easter Monday.
Dickinson and Grant are pushing for immediate returns, while Jonathan Forte and Michael O'Connor are also in line to feature.
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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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