One of those games where you couldn't help but be frustrated and relieved in equal measure. Notts did more than enough to win this game comfortably but just weren't clinical enough in front of goal.
At the other end, apart from a deflected shot and Miller hitting the post, (I've watched the replays and Slocombe had it covered), the goal was the only other clear cut opportunity Chesterfield had, unfortunately the Spireites were afforded the freedom of Meadow Lane, or at least that's what it felt like with the Notts rear guard parting like the Red Sea giving Alex Whittle the time to calmly pick his spot.
A controversial penalty on the stroke of half time provided Kyle Wootton with the opportunity to get Notts back on level terms and the striker did just that, sending Scott Loach in the Chesterfield goal the wrong way.
The frustrating thing was Notts had their chances in the first 45 minutes to go in ahead at the break, with both Dion Kelly-Evans and Harry Arter coming close.
Notts continued to press in the second half and will rue a couple more missed chances to seal it, in particular Kyle Wootton who somehow managed to head against the crossbar from a couple of yards out. I'm not going to dwell on that though, it happens and no one deserved that effort to go in more than Wootton, who continues to lead from the front and has fulfilled his vice captain duties admirably in the absence of Kyle Cameron.
Ultimately it was a horrible game of football, and I don't mind admitting I was a little more than relieved when the final whistle blew. It was one of those games where you just knew the opposition, (who were quite possibly the antithesis of footballing sophistication), were the more likely to get a winner the longer the game went on.
Anyway, it is what it is, here's the stats . . .
Key match stats.
Make of the above what you will but Notts on top in every area, except the score.
Onto points needed and Notts still projected to be in or around the top 7 with 9 games to go.
Click on the legend tags at the top to filter options.
Progress updated.
National League results tracker updated.
Goal segment chart:
Six game segments updated. 8 points from 5 games this segment.
Player stats updated:
As usual this is the new table that is also available to view on the player stats page of the website here. There will also be separate tables for the two cup competitions.
Goals and assists chart.
Goal scatter charts updated.
You can hover on the dots (tap if on a touch screen) to view details for each goal.
Onto xG with some mind boggling results. Of course the penalty skews the stats a bit when included but even then Notts had done enough to win the game comfortably . . . except score a second goal of course.
Match xG stats: Notts with 4 big chances and 3 additional chances.
Player xG Stats: The penalty adding to Kyle Wootton's overall xG for the game and Harry Arter with a couple of good chances.
National League goal scorers includes cup games, penalties and own goals.
Ian Burchnall's record updated after 62 games. That's 62 games of football in his first 12 months at the club, bonkers.
Despite the disappointment of not being able to finish Chesterfield off on Saturday, there's some positives to be taken from a week that saw Notts take 7 points from a possible 9 against potential play-off contenders.
Two tricky away fixtures await Notts with an improving Southend United on Saturday followed the week after by a trip down to the English Riviera and a revitalised Torquay United.
As always thanks for reading.
COYP!
Richard