From the Archive - A Five-Goal Thriller at The Meadow

With just ten games left to play of the 2008/09 season, Paul Simpson’s side, despite being one of the strongest in the league, were facing the very realistic prospect of missing out on the play-offs.  

Expectations had been high coming into the campaign, with Grant Holt breaking the club’s transfer record and defenders like Michael Jackson and Graham Coughlan adding some serious experience to the side.  

Despite the incredible talent in the team, Salop had struggled away from home, winning just one away game in the first eight months of the season. As we prepared to welcome Notts County in mid-March, we sat eighth in the table, having just lost consecutive away games to Luton and Macclesfield, conceding three in each, before drawing with Exeter at the Meadow.  

Things got off to a rocky start for the home team with Richard Butcher slotting a low-ball past Luke Daniels to make it 1-0 Notts. Salop responded quickly, with on-loan striker Moses Ashikodi racing past the Notts backline and slotting home to make it 1-1.  

With less than ten minutes to go before the half-time break, Grant Holt was dragged down by Delroy Facey in the area, leaving the ref with no choice but to point to the spot. The striker stepped up to make it 2-1 and send us into the changing rooms in the lead.  

The second half was a cagey affair, with both sides defending well. The visitors nearly made it 2-2 in the 66th minute, with Daniels pulling off an excellent save from a close-range Facey header.  

Coughlan would show Facey how it was done five minutes later, with the defender rising highest from a Ben Davies cross to head home and make it 3-1.  

Notts would grab another goal in the 85th minute, with Forte racing through one-on-one and slotting the ball past Daniels. They would then give Town a late scare in the 88th minute, with Daniels pulling off another excellent save, this time from Weston, to prevent Notts from making it 3-3.  

Salop would hold out for the three points, with the win moving them to within one point of seventh spot.