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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Five things we learned from Notts County's draw with Chesterfield

Whilst Notts County will feel disappointed with their previous two draws, taking a point from Chesterfield on Saturday evening will be considered a point gained, rather than two dropped.

The Magpies found themselves two goals down in the second half, with Akwasi Asante adding to Liam Mandeville's first half strike, and the Spirerites looked like they could score more.

But, a double change on the hour-mark changed the complexity of the game, with Luke Williams bringing on Sam Austin and Cedwyn Scott to provide his side with some much needed energy, and they certainly did that.

READ MORE: Luke Williams talks substitutions, Frank Vincent loan thinking and exciting attacking options

Two goals in three minutes from Macaulay Langstaff turned the game on it's head, and Notts could have emerged with all three points only for defender Jamie Grimes to deny Langstaff on the line with the match ball in his grasp.

However, it's another draw, the Magpies remain unbeaten, and now have a week-long rest ahead of another testing trip to Halifax Town next Saturday.

Following the game, here is five things we learned at Meadow Lane.

Sam Austin proves his class

After an excellent showing against Nottingham Forest in pre-season, many Notts fans were excited to see what Sam Austin was going to do in the black and white shirt of the Magpies.

And after starting against Maidenhead, the summer signing was dropped for Notts' trip to Gateshead and did not feature in the North East, which surprised many supporters.

The game was crying out for an injection of pace and a pinch of creativity, and Austin provided that in abundance.

There was a fire in his eye, like he almost had a point to prove to his manager. And just three minutes in, he provides an assist to get Notts level and pushing to grab a third.

His running off the ball was what impressed me most, however. One particular incident comes to mind in the second half when Chesterfield broke from a Notts corner.

Despite being at least 40 yards away from where the ball was, Austin's sheer desire and determination to track back and help his team out defensively was fantastic to see. Although not winning the ball, his presence halted the Chesterfield counter attack and allowed Notts to regroup.

He has to start against Halifax, it's as simple as that.

Williams substitute masterclass

Another day, another tactical substitution pays off for Luke Williams.

It is worth noting that each of his substitutes that he has made over the past three games, they have had an impact on the match, one way or another.

It was Kairo Mitchell at Boreham Wood, Cedwyn Scott at Gateshead, and now Sam Austin against Chesterfield. It's quite remarkable.

But it's no fluke. Each decision has a tactical reason behind it, whether changing to two up front, playing an extra man in midfield, or a tweak in formation, Williams has got it spot on every time.

Read more about Williams had to say here.

Aden Baldwin injury fear

Potentially a risk to play Aden Baldwin today, Williams took that risk and unfortunately has paid the price.

Baldwin was arguably the standout defender alongside Kyle Cameron on Saturday afternoon, but was substituted in the 72nd minute after agitating that Achilles tendon once again, leaving the pitch without his boot on.

Speaking on Baldwin after the game, Williams said: "Yeah, it was the Achilles again.

"It was a concern because we thought that we allowed the pain to settle down, but it continued to get worse as the game went on so we have to look at what steps we need to take."

Geraldo Bajrami, who replaced Baldwin at Gateshead after coming on at Boreham Wood, was substituted on today and was solid again in the back three.

The summer signing could consider himself unlucky following his performance in the North East, and dependent on the severity of Baldwin's injury, could find himself in the starting XI at Halifax next weekend.

Magnificent Macaulay

His performance in the first half was from his best, but it was not at his own doing. He was timing his runs and getting into some really good positions, but Notts were simply too slow on the ball and opted to play the ball back on a number of occasions.

The 25-year-old cut a frustrated figure at the top of the pitch, and maybe took those frustrations out when smashing the ball in for his first of the afternoon, before planting his header into the net just three minutes later.

Many thought that he could struggle in the National League, but four goals in four games suggests otherwise.

His work rate off the ball was just as impressive. Chesterfield were keen to play out from the back, but Langstaff was keen to shut that off and push Notts higher up the pitch. He was a nuisance all afternoon.

This was the first time we saw him and fellow Gateshead recruit Cedwyn Scott share the pitch in Notts colours, and it has whet the appetites of Magpies fans as to what is to come from the pair.

Two up top assessment

Having flirted with the idea of two strikers for the final 20 minutes at Gateshead on Tuesday evening, Williams chose to start with a front two of Mitchell and Langstaff.

For the first 45 minutes, their link up play was poor, which is to be expected having not played with each other for a long period of time. The pair created one opportunity of note in the second half with Mitchell sliding in Langstaff who saw his effort saved by Ross Fitzsimons.

Mitchell failed to make an impact on the game like he managed at Boreham Wood and Gateshead, but as soon as Scott partnered Langstaff up front, you could see that chemistry that resulted in 52 goals between them last season.

Playing with two up front obviously offers more going forward, but at times today the midfield was over run and lots of spaces were being found in behind Jim O'Brien when Matty Palmer was pushed further up the pitch.

It's a tactic and a formation that will take time to adjust to, but Notts looked their most dangerous with two up front and Ruben Rodrigues tucked in behind.

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