Notts County 0-1 Hartlepool United (National League) 28.12.20

Notts County were beaten at home against Hartlepool United on Monday as Luke Armstrong’s close strike on 19 minutes gave the away side victory to see Dave Challinor’s men go second in the National League table as the Magpies fall down to fifth.

The visitors were good value for their lead after a strong start buoyed by their Boxing Day win over Halifax as Notts County enjoyed Saturday off following their opponents Kings Lynn Town postponing their match through covid.

Rhys Oates headed wide for the Pools before Gavan Hoolahan shot over and before the clock struck twenty, Armstrong finished after Oates raced down the left wing to cross low towards the waiting striker.

Notts fought back as a Walker free kick tested a nervy defence and Wootton headed straight at the keeper before winger Oates, providing a nuisance at the other end, saw his shot deflected over.

Jake Reeves came close to pulling County level as he struck the woodwork moments before half time and as Neal Ardley’s side pushed in the second half, Ben Turner inadvertently played Oates through who should have done better than to miss the target completely.

On fifty minutes Ruben Rodrigues hit a post as Doyle fired over the rebound with Brindley going close moments later to no avail. Chances came and went as the home side pressed without joy, the clock running down to the advantage of Hartlepool.

Notts task became harder on 82 minutes when Turner was sent off for a high boot on Mason Bloomfield but Jimmy Knowles netted in the 89th minute for the ten men only to see his goal chalked off for offside.

A frustrating afternoon and a disappointing way to end 2020 with the points going north up the A1 to County Durham.

Notts County: Slocombe, Brindley, Turner, Walker (Sam 65), Rodrigues (Knowles 74), Reeves, Rawlinson, Kelly-Evans, Doyle, Boldewijn, Wootton.

Hartlepool United: Killip, Sterry, Odusina, Magloire, Johnson, Featherstone, Crawford, Bunney, Oates (Donaldson 62), Holohan (Gray 90), Armstrong (Bloomfield 78).

Venue: Meadow Lane

*Main image @Official_NCFC Connell Rawlinson in action for Notts.