County returned from Barrow three points better off after on-loan (from Hull City) striker Mark Cullen bagged a late brace (76 mins and 81 mins).
I do not think we can over-estimate how important this win may be come the end of the season. If the scoreline had been reversed (and I for one would not have been that surprised if it had) County would have been in the bottom four. As it is, County have a small buffer and entertain Braintree at Edgeley Park this Saturday in another hugely important fixture.
I am led to believe about 90 hardcore County fans travelled to the game (and made themselves heard on the radio) and saw a match where County could have gone behind when ex-Hatter Danny M Rowe struck the post from inside the area. Another maybe less popular ex-Hatter, McConville also played a part and received some ‘treatment’ from the travelling County support.
As it was the County faithful had to wait until the last quarter of an hour for Cullen to open the scoring (via a Nolan cross) and then again five minutes later (a close range effort)
Looking at the bottom of the table I cannot see Telford or Ebbsfleet getting out of the drop zone. County have 42 points. Nuneaton (two games in hand and 36 points) are at home to Lincoln (40 points) on Saturday, Hyde (39 points) are at home to Dartford whilst Barrow (37 points) go to Hereford. Gateshead (40 points) have 5 games in hand so should be out of the equation. So anything less than a win against Braintree will see County fans nibbling their finger-nails.
If I had to bet on County’s future I would say we will be playing in the Conference next season but it will be a close call.
Not really what I had in mind back last August but it really is a case of beggars cannot be choosers.
Cropped.
The BBC match report including the line-ups can be found here
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