A second-half turn-around from Notts County ended a run of four straight defeats at Meadow Lane this afternoon, with the Magpies coming back from 1-0 down to claim a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town.
An evenly contested first period sprung into life ten minutes before the break with both sides having efforts cleared off the line before Dave Hibbert handed the visitors the lead from the penalty spot. Manager Ian McParland was furious at the award of the spot-kick by Referee Mr Miller after an alleged foul by Adam Tann in the box.
But, Notts didn't let that bother them and they put in an impressive second-half showing and after a spell of pressure Krystian Pearce's first-ever career goal brought Notts level, and five minutes later the Magpies were in poll-position to claim the points as Neil MacKenzie curled home a delightful free-kick.
Ian McParland named an unchanged side for the visit of the Shrews; keeping faith with the players that battled so well and pushed promotion favourites Peterborough United all the way on Tuesday night - although the game ended in a 1-0 defeat. On the bench there were two changes, with Lee Canoville and Andy Parkinson in for Paul Mayo and Stef Frost.
Shrewsbury were meanwhile looking for their first away win, and goal, in four games away from the New Meadow.
Despite the heavy rain throughout the country calling off a number of games, the Meadow Lane surface was in fine condition despite rain throughout the day.
Looking to get back on track and restore some confidence with a much-needed three points, the Magpies and the Shrews were evenly matched in the early stages although it was the visitors who shaded things in terms of attempts - although they were unable to test Kevin Pilkington with Davies flashing a shot wide from the edge of the box and Symes should have done better with a header from a left-wing cross after peeling away from Adam Tann ten yards out, but he headed wide.
In all honesty, both sides cancelled each other out well in the first half. Neither outfit were able to create clear-cut chances, but it did seem it was the visitors who were playing with greater confidence in the opening period. Down the left in Tierney they were getting plenty of joy, but were unable to take advantage of the balls he was providing into the box.
Both sides had efforts cleared off the line within the space of a minute just before the break as the game began to open up more, but both efforts initially came from corners. Firstly Pilkington's weak punch fell to the feet of Ben Davies on the edge of the box who quickly returned the ball back towards goal with the Notts shot-stopper off his line, but Lee was on hand to head off the line.
Straight away Notts burst down the other end and forced a corner which McCann whipped in delightfully towards the head of Krystian Pearce whose header was arrowing towards the bottom corner - but Herd on the far-post cleared off the line.
Moments later in an action-packed few minutes, the Shrews took the lead from the penalty spot. A sliding challenge by Adam Tann around ten-yards from goal on Michael Symes was adjudged by Referee Mr Miller to be bad enough to point to the spot. Despite strong Notts protests, the spot-kick was converted by Dave Hibbert as he sent Kevin Pilkington the wrong way from twelve yards.
Manager Ian McParland was raging at the decision, and he was sent to the stands by Mr Miller straight after Hibbert converted the penalty four minutes before the break. McParland was fuming, and got his views across to the Durham-based Official before heading down the tunnel. He was sat in front of the Press Box for the duration of the second period.
Up the front Jason Lee enjoyed a real battle with Shrews centre-backs Murdock and Langmead throughout the half, with the frontman as usual winning very little from the officials.
Butcher fired over in first-half injury-time with a snapshot from the edge of the box, leaving Notts with it all to do in the second period.
Half-Time: Notts County 0-1 Shrewsbury Town
The visitors started the second period earning themselves a string of corners, but Notts defended well to ensure they didn't fall further behind as they dealt with a five-minute spell of Shrews pressure.
Ten minutes into the second period Neil MacKenzie was introduced into the action in place of Matt Somner in midfield, as Notts sought for another creative option in the middle of the park alongside Richard Butcher who was neat and tidy with his passing throughout.
Andy Parkinson swiftly followed MacKenzie off the bench on the hour as he replaced Jason Lee in attack, and by that stage of the game it was the Magpies who were on top but they only had low efforts straight at Garner from MacKenzie and Weir-Daley to show for their efforts.
Notts were banging on the door and keeping the visitors pinned back, and twenty minutes from time they drew level as Krystian Pearce slammed home his first-ever career goal. Following a Richard Butcher corner the centre-back saw his close-range volley superbly saved by Garner, but the 17-year-old quick as a flash headed home the rebound to draw Notts level.
With confidence brimming, five minutes later Notts took the lead. A foul on Dudfield on the edge of the box presented Notts with an ideal opportunity to make the most of the set-piece given Neil MacKenzie's abilities on the ball - and he calmly stepped up and stroked the ball into the top corner with a superb strike.
You could see the confidence flying back into the Magpies and playing with that air of confidence which was perhaps missing in recent matches, and that was displayed in Notts' passing and the way they went about their business.
The Shrews pushed for a late equaliser, but Notts showed their resilience with a composed and solid display. Given Notts are on the road at Rochdale and Dagenham in the next few weeks, this result is massive for the Club.
Credit to the players who have responded to the FA Cup defeat with two never-say-die performances - with the challenge now to get on another unbeaten run and keep turning in the sort of performance we have seen over the last few days.
Notts County: Pilkington, Silk, Tann (C) (Canoville 90), Pearce, Hunt, Dudfield, Somner (MacKenzie 56), Butcher, McCann, Weir-Daley, Lee (Parkinson 61).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, Sam.
Booked: Silk.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Pearce (69), MacKenzie (75).
Shrewsbury Town: Garner, Moss, Drummond (C), Hunt, Langmead, Hibbert, Symes (Nicholson 67), Herd, Davies, Murdock (Ashton 85), Tierney.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Hall, Esson.
Booked: Herd.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Hibbert (41 - Pen).
Match Referee: Mr N Miller
Attendance: 3,819 (537 Shrewsbury Town Fans)
nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Krystian Pearce
