Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard hailed the mentality of his promotion-chasing players following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Tranmere at Meadow Lane.
Despite battling for survival at the other end of the League Two, Nigel Adkins’ Rovers impressed for long periods with Omari Patrick, Sam Finley and Cameron Norman all going close.
But Charlie Whitaker, signed from Everton last month, punished those misses with an 80th-minute opener before Alassana Jatta quickly extended County’s lead after earlier hitting the bar.
Rovers handed themselves a lifeline in the 88th minute when substitute Kristian Dennis nodded home but it was one they were unable to grasp.
Maynard said: “They could have been two up before we went in front. But, at the end of the day, football is all about taking chances and that’s what we did.
“Charlie is someone with serious ability. That’s why we brought him in.
“But he’s also got serious football intelligence too. Put those two things together and it’s a very heady combination.
“To go out there and grab a game by the scruff of the neck like that, especially at this stage of the season, speaks volumes. But, then again, we’ve got a few boys like that.
“We know we weren’t at our best and I can understand why Tranmere will be disappointed. But, when you aren’t at your best, it’s all about finding a way and that’s what we’ve been doing all the way through.
“It’s something we’ve got to keep on doing as well, especially at this stage when the points become even more important and the margins become even slimmer.
“But I’m delighted it’s a habit we’ve developed and it’s one which says a lot about the character in our dressing room.”
Rovers are now without a win in nine outings and sit two points clear of he relegation zone.
Rovers manager Adkins said: “We’ve gone out there and disrupted a very possession-based team. What you’ve witnessed is a very committed performance from a group of players who are all willing to fight for each other and have a real go.
“On top of that, we’ve also played some excellent football and created some really good openings. The fact their keeper was the man-of-the-match tells you all you need to know. It’s not the first time that’s happened to us but we’ve just got to keep on working hard and keep on going.
“Ultimately, it’s all about making sure we turn that good play into an advantage on the scoresheet.
“Once again, refereeing decisions didn’t go our way. But the lads got applauded off by our supporters at the end which tells you what they thought of the performance.
“Those fans know the players have given everything out there and they deserved something.”
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...

Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...

David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...

Eddie Howe hailed Sandro Tonali’s shooting power after seeing him cap a fine display with a stunning winner to edge Newcastle into the race for Champions League qualification.The 24-year-old Italy international brought an incident-packed encounter to a fitting conclusion with a 74th-minute piledriver which beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an improbable angle to hand the Magpies a precious 2...

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes Marcus Rashford is “progressively getting better” in all aspects of his game following his first Premier League goal for the club.The on-loan Manchester United forward set Villa on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton with a 51st-minute finish at the Amex Stadium.Rashford’s milestone strike came three days ...

Southampton boss Ivan Juric vowed to keep fighting as relegation moved sharply into focus after Crystal Palace denied them only a third Premier League win of the season.Substitute Matheus Franca’s stoppage-time header, to secure a 1-1 draw for the Eagles, means Saints will be down at the weekend if they lose at Tottenham and Wolves beat Ipswich.If relegation is confirmed on Sunday, Southampt...

Derby boss John Eustace insists his side are reaping the rewards for the hard work they have put in since he was appointed as manager after the Rams earned a 2-0 win over Preston to climb out of the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone.Derby came out firing after a lacklustre opening period and Craig Forsyth coolly slotted the hosts in front with his fourth goal of the season.The Rams doubled thei...

Notts County manager Stuart Maynard hailed a “massive” three points as his side comfortably saw off MK Dons at Meadow Lane to maintain their promotion challenge.Two stunning strikes from David McGoldrick and Will Jarvis from the edge of the box, either side of Nick Tsaroulla’s close-range effort, earned County a convincing 3-0 win.“I think every three points is massive now,...



- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender