By Joe Jones
A strange game in which to welcome two new managers to a football club, six games before the end of the season, saw Yeovil Town relegated from League One as Notts County held them to a 1-1 draw at Huish Park this afternoon.
Ricardo Moniz secured his first point as Magpies boss, while Paul Sturrock's immediate project with the Glovers is to see out the season then rebuild for life in League Two.Notts were quickest off the starting blocks as Garry Thompson was denied by a Stephen Arthurworrey last-ditch challenge.
The hosts then countered in the 10th minute through a Sam Foley free-kick and, with Byron Webster pressuring Haydn Hollis, the defender headed into his own net to give Yeovil the lead.
The visitors tried to regroup and looked dangerous going forward, but the Yeovil defence managed to hold back their opponents.
Hollis then nearly made his second major mistake of the match when he misjudged a back pass to Roy Carroll. The goalkeeper had to sprint from his box to beat the onrushing James Hayter to the ball.
The Northern Irishman rescued the Magpies from conceding further with two great saves to deny Stephen Kingsley and then Chigozie Ugeu from close range.
There was a warning moment for the hosts on the stroke of half time as Jimmy Spencer set up a good opportunity for himself just outside the box, but his left-footed effort went just wide of Artur Krysiak's post.
Yeovil came out all guns blazing in the second half as Hayter had a shot saved easily by Carroll, before Ugwu showed his pace to beat Mullins but sliced his effort wide.
Notts continued to push hard for an equaliser but found Krysiak in good form with the big Pole pulled off a stunning save to deny substitute Graham Burke.
The Magpies eventually succeeded in pulling level with just 11 minutes remaining when Campbell-Ryce whipped a fine cross into the box for Garry Thompson to head in from a few yards out.
Sensing all three points were now a realistic prospect, Moniz's charges pushed forward and, after a fine pass from Thompson, it took a brilliant diving block from Liam Shephard to thwart Burke's shot on goal.
Yeovil then nearly grabbed an unexpected winner when Seth Twumasi sent a ball forward to Kieffer Moore and, after bringing the ball under control, his shot went just wide.
Moore and Twumasi combined once more in added time, although this time it was the striker who was the provider and the latter's shot was well saved by Carroll.
The final whistle ultimately blew on the game as both sides were left feeling distinctly glum. Yeovil's relegation to the bottom tier of the Football League was confirmed, while Notts continue to sit in the bottom four, though a mere point separates them from safety.
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