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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Notts County player ratings vs Barnet as Magpies forced to rue first half opportunities

Notts County were forced to share the spoils on their visit to The Hive Stadium as missed opportunities in a dominant first half display came back to haunt Luke Williams' side.

In a one-sided first half, the Magpies were rewarded three minutes from the interval, with the National League's top scorer Macaulay Langstaff sweeping home an exquisite attacking move to take his tally to 37 for the season.

But the visitors came undone from a set-piece routine, with Jordan Cropper's long throw-in finding the head of Idris Kanu to power beyond Tiernan Brooks to end their wretched record against the Magpies.

READ MORE: Notts County team news vs Barnet as defender missing after midweek knock

The Notts boss made three changes from the win over Eastleigh in midweek - Aden Baldwin unable to recover from a minor knock against the Spitfires was replaced by Geraldo Bajrami, while Kyle Cameron returned to captain the side with Sam Austin preferred in midfield which saw Jodi Jones and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans drop to the bench.

And it was the visitors who settled into their groove early on, with the left-hand side proving to be an early avenue Notts were looking to exploit - Adam Chicksen and Cameron combining nicely to force an early opening before Ruben Rodrigues' dangerous ball into the area was scooped over the Barnet net with Langstaff lurking.

The one-way traffic continued and this time the National League's top scorer was able to get a connection onto a cross into the area, only to see his effort superbly saved by Laurie Walker at his near post.

What seemed to be replicant of a one-team training session, Williams' side continued to dominate and almost unlocked the Bee's defence when Austin's pass in behind found Chicksen in space, his cross looking for Langstaff in the area deflected goal-bound by the Barnet defender and forcing Walker to scramble the ball away.

But another move of real quality from the visitors was able to break the deadlock - this time patient build-up saw the ball land at the feet of Rodrigues who fed a reversed pass into the path of Nemane, with his cross steered home first time by Langstaff to notch his 37th goal of the campaign.

But on the stroke of half-time, the Magpies suffered a hammer blow from a corner, with Cropper's useful long throw-in's proving effective as Kanu rose highest to power a header off the crossbar and over the line to give the home side a goal very much against the run of play.

The second period brought a more even feel to the contest, with either side creating very little early on, forcing Williams into making an attacking change on the hour-mark, with Lemonheigh-Evans and Jones introduced into the action.

And the Magpies managed to fashion an opportunity four minutes after their arrival - Rodrigues' deflected cross narrowly evading the head of Langstaff in the area, with the Portuguese midfielder rallying the travelling 1064 Notts fans to help carry them to another important three points.

However, one point could have quite easily turned into nothing four minutes from time, with Courtney Senior keeping the ball in play down the left-hand side before feeding in Harry Pritchard - but as he closed in on goal, Brooks stood tall to save with his feet.

And there was still time for another twist late on when Rodrigues' teasing ball into the area found Chicksen at the back post, with his cutback finding Lemonheigh-Evans inside the area who headed over from six yards out.

Here is how we rated the players from The Hive Stadium.

Tiernan Brooks - 6

That first clean sheet continues to elude him, but not for the ones that are trying. Made an important save late on to preserve the point.

Kyle Cameron - 6.5

Looked to continually link up with Chicksen and Austin down the right - producing several inviting balls into the area while pushing his team up the pitch.

Geraldo Bajrami - 6

Another composed showing from the Albanian, coping well with the physical presence of Nicke Kabamba all afternoon and frustrating the Barnet number nine but did have a few momentary lapses in concentration.

Connell Rawlinson - 6

Looked solid again defensively and aerially sound with Barnet's route one approach - will consider himself lucky when giving possession to Kanu in a dangerous area.

Adam Chicksen - 6

Looked threatening during the first half and providing some excellent balls into the attacking areas, but frustrated in the second being caught offside during promising situations and being wasteful with possession.

Aaron Nemane - 7

Always looked a threat when running at his opponents, managing to grab another assist with his cutback for Langstaff in the first half.

Matty Palmer - 7.5

Ran the game from midfield alongside Bostock, dropping deep to create attacking opportunities while also remaining defensively sound throughout.

John Bostock - 6.5

Continues to disperse the myth he can not play alongside Palmer - stretching the game with his balls out wide and composure in possession - his substitution needed to provide that extra energy from the bench.

Sam Austin - 6

Looked lively and was trying to link the play between midfield and attack - perhaps unlucky to see his number up on the hour.

Ruben Rodrigues - 7

Played a pivotal role in Notts' attacking play, finding lots of joy with that reverse pass in behind that led to Langstaff's opener. Worked hard throughout and created some good chances with balls into the box.

Macaulay Langstaff - 7

Took his first goal of the afternoon very well, finishing under huge pressure inside the area. Ran the line well but was starved of opportunities in the second half.

SUBS:

Jodi Jones - 6

Injected that pace in the final third, but the end product was lacking.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - 6

Put himself about during his time on the pitch, just unable to make the impact his manager would have wanted, missing a huge chance late on.

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