City fortunate in Notts County win

City were fortunate to beat a Notts County side who generally dominated the game. A controversial Patulea goal in the first half gave the Imps in the point and despite being second best, the Imps move within four points of the Playoffs with two games in three days next week. It's certainly looking better than it did two weeks ago, at least now we're winning when playing poorly.

Neither side could really manage a decent effort early on as the game started as a midfield battle. Frecklington was pushed in the box, nullifying the County corner kick that he was defending just seconds after Patulea had had a shot well saved by Pilkington. City had their own corner a few minds latter but it was flicked off of the head of Kovacs by Edwards. Wright was then penalised for a push before going off injured in the 14^th minute, replaced by John-Lewis.

Weston blasted a shot wide following a good build up from the home side before Brown and LJL worked well before crossing for Patulea, the Romanian heading just wide of the target. Great defending from Beevers saw him deny Facey at the last minutes, flicking a low cross off of the feet of the rather tubby former Huddersfield man. Clapham sent a free kick just wide of the target as the home side were looking the more likely to poke the ball into the net.

Then, the referee who seemed to just give decisions to whoever shouted loudest, came up with the game's controversial incident. After giving City a free kick, the ball was played into the box by Brown and Pilkington went to catch it with a few City men in close attendance. Despite seemingly having the ball in his grasp, he dropped it straight at Patulea and the Romanian hit it into the net, scoring his seventh goal of the season.

City now had a spell of dominance with Adrian trying to chip Pilkington, only to see his effort go fairly wide. He headed a Frecklington cross just wide a minute later before Burch had to be alert to catch a cross following on from a County breakaway. Hamshaw volleyed wide before Brown's cross was punched out by Pilkington in the final incident of the first half.

County continued their general dominance when Facey's goalbound effort was headed over by Beevers. Several failed corner attempts later and County were still having no luck getting shots near the goal and it was the Imps who had the next effort, Frecklington volleying just wide from 25 yards. Home was soon booked for a foul on Canham, the despite the fact that Kovacs been the one to foul the attacker.

Strachan joined the defender in the book before Johnson also saw yellow, both for fouls on Brown. N'Guessan came on for Patulea before Weir-Daley came on for Canham. A quick flurry of subs continued as Oakes came on to play against his former side, replacing Frecklington. Mullarkey hit the side netting following on from good work between Brown and Oakes.

Neither side managed another chance and the Imps made it back to back wins to move within 4 points of the Playoffs.