Notts County claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season at Accrington Stanley this afternoon with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of debutant Craig Lindfield's superb first-half strike and Lawrie Dudfield's late header.
A scrappy opening period was lit up by the on-loan Liverpool frontman who took advantage of some slack Stanley defending to crash a right-foot volley into the roof of the net twenty-three minutes into his debut in professional football 48 hours after arriving on loan from the Premier League giants.
After a backs to the wall performance in the second half with some impressive defending the Magpies wrapped up the points late on with Dudfield heading Austin McCann's left-wing cross into the net to bag Notts their first away win of the campaign.
Notts were without Spencer Weir-Daley (Virus), Matt Somner (Suspended) and Andy Parkinson (Injured), while long-term victims Mike Edwards, Jason Lee and Jay Smith were again out despite the latter performing for the reserves in midweek.
As a result, two changes were made to the team which defeated Wrexham last weekend with Gary Silk in for Somner and debutant Craig Lindfield in for Weir-Daley after signing on loan from Liverpool on Thursday.
The opening fifteen minutes were largely forgettable at the Fraser Eagle Stadium with plenty of scrappy play from both sides, but Notts did create the best chance of the early stages with Richard Butcher cutting in from the right and eventually firing a left-foot drive only just wide from just outside the box.
Out of the blue on twenty-three minutes the Magpies took the lead, and what a way to mark your League debut it was for Craig Lindfield. Dudfield latched onto a poor piece of defending to nudge the ball into the on-loan Liverpool's striker's path and on the half-volley he thundered the ball into the roof of the net. A perfect debut goal if there ever was one.
Kevin Pilkington had to be alert to deny Roscoe D'Sane from close-range three minutes after the goal by standing tall on his line after the frontman had out-muscled Adam Tann in the box. From around ten-yards out he fired in a low drive, but the experienced goalkeeper smothered the shot.
Ian McParland and Lee Canoville had warned in their pre-match comments that it may not be a pretty game and the Magpies would have to mix things up and battle for the points, and clearly that was the case.
Stanley offered more going forwards towards the end of the half with Harris firstly having a goal-bound effort blocked by the left-boot of Captain Stephen Hunt, and then five minutes before the break a weak punch by Kevin Pilkington fell at the feet of Proctor on the edge of the box but after turning to create space he fired an effort wide.
Lindfield almost doubled his tally just before the break with a sweetly-struck left-foot drive, once again out of nothing, but with Dunbavin totally beaten the effort sailed just over the crossbar and into the stands. The teenager knew how close the effort was, standing head-in-hands - but in reality it was only a half chance, but almost a delightful second.
Half-Time: Accrington Stanley 0-1 Notts County
Both sides returned for the second period unchanged, and like the first period the opening stages of the half were largely scrappy and forgettable - but by the hour mark the home side had upped the tempo and were putting pressure on the Magpies backline.
Kevin Pilkington was forced into a good, low stop to deny Accrington's leading scorer D'Sane after he was allowed too much room to shot on the edge of the box, and after making a fine stop with his right arm he quickly dived on the ball before Mullin could pounce.
Craney and Whalley both fired in efforts for the home side from angles, but both times they were unable to get their efforts on target as they asked the questions. Just after the hour D'Sane turned and fired an effort in from around six yards out with little power in his effort, and a stretching Pilkington made a straightforward save.
Dunbavin was having little to do in terms of saves, but Notts were still pushing for a second to put the game to bed, and a long-range drive from Paul Mayo almost provided that second but Dunbavin made a fine reaction save from the striker's powerful drive by palming the ball away and Roberts cleared with Dudfield looking to pounce.
Hector Sam replaced the impressive Lindfield with twelve minutes to go after an impressive debut, adding a different dimension and option in attack - as well as the goalscoring touch which has eluded Notts at times this season.
Whalley was inches away from bringing the home side level ten minutes from time, but unmarked at the far post he cut inside and fired a curling effort just wide of the far post with his effort evading everyone in the box, while Hector Sam's fine footwork created an opportunity for himself which Dunbavin stopped at his near post.
After Mullin missed a glorious chance for the home side with a few minutes to go Notts wrapped up the points at the other end as McCann, on as a substitute only minutes before, found the head of Lawrie Dudfield with a diving header who simply guided the ball into the net for his first of the season and he showed his delight and relief in his celebrations after a frustrating start goals-wise to the season.
Confidence will be sky-high now in the Magpies camp after back-to-back wins, and with Barnet away on Tuesday evening there's a perfect chance to quickly extend that run. The Magpies always said it was going to be a real battle and scrap - and it certainly was, but the points are Notts' and that's all the matters - and the goals for the two frontman will come as a massive, massive boost to Notts.
Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh (C), Williams, Roberts, Proctor, Whalley (Miles 83), Harris, D'Sane, Mullin, Branch, Craney.
Subs Not Used: Fearon, Webb, McEvilly, Brown.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.
Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Tann, Hunt (C), Mayo, Butcher, Silk, MacKenzie, Weston, Dudfield, Lindfield (Sam 78).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, R Austin, Frost.
Booked: Mayo, Dudfield.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Lindfield (23), Dudfield (88).
Match Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Attendance: 1,722
nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Craig Lindfield
