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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Praise for York City goalkeeper as Luke Williams explains reason for Notts County absence

Notts County boss Luke Williams described Ryan Whitley's York City performance as 'incredible' following their 1-1 draw with The Minstermen on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies were forced to end their regular league campaign with a point as Shaq Forde's 89th-minute strike cancelled out Macaulay Langstaff's 42nd goal of the season.

With results elsewhere, Notts will play either Barnet or Boreham Wood in their play-off semi-final on Sunday, May 7 (12:30 kick-off), for a place back in the football league.

READ MORE: Another record and a perfect goal - Talking points from Notts County draw with York

READ MORE: Luke Williams insists lessons will be learned ahead of Notts County's play-off campaign

Despite the fixture against Michael Morton's side not determining either side's position in the table, Williams still elected to name a strong starting line-up ahead of their play-off campaign by making six changes from the win over Maidstone a week prior.

Sam Slocombe, Connell Rawlinson, Adam Chicksen, Aaron Nemane, John Bostock, and Macaulay Langstaff were all reinstated into the side - a potential look at what the Notts head coach feels is his strongest team.

But one player absent from the matchday 16 was newest recruit Junior Morias - the 27-year-old having featured in the Magpies' last two games against Woking and the Stones in his first two appearances for the club since signing from Dagenham and Redbridge last month.

"I tried to cover every area of the pitch today, and I felt as though I didn't need both the strikers there," Williams said on Morias' absence from the squad following their draw with York City.

"Junior has done great and I am happy with him, but of course, we have Cedwyn who is also a fantastic player and just in front of Junior at this moment in time - but Junior is doing great and I have been really impressed with the way he is fighting for his chance to play."

For all of their possessional dominance, the Magpies were forced to settle for a point after Forde's late equaliser sparked wild celebrations amongst the travelling Minstermen supporters.

Notts managed to create several opportunities to claim a 33rd league win of the season but were thwarted by an inspired Whitley - the York City keeper making a number of exceptional saves that proved pivotal in his side coming away from Meadow Lane with a point.

"He's done incredible things today," said Williams when analysing the 22-year-old's remarkable display.

"But the whole team was very disciplined today and they stuck to their task and they did a brilliant job, but ultimately we did make very good breakthroughs and created some good chances, even though they defended very well.

"We couldn't finish them off because he was the final obstacle and he produced a brilliant performance."

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